UG 02 - HOPE IS REBORN
Project Location
The project is carried out in Northern Uganda and precisely in Gulu and surroundings. The population resident in this area experienced decades of "persecution" and war, interrupted only for a short time in the early eighties of the last century. Then the HIV/AIDS plunged the population into an extremely vulnerable situation, characterized by high mortality and, as a result, by many orphaned children. In addition, in the following years the situation became even more dramatic due to the guerrilla warfare headed by Joseph Kony.
This led to unprecedented situations of violence, harassment, torture, mass destruction and kidnapping of children, the latter to be forced into becoming soldiers (the boys) and sexual slaves (the girls). The recent years of Covid-19 related lockdown have exacerbated an already complex and complicated social situation. With schools closed for almost two years and small businesses stopped, the financial conditions of families have worsened and there has been an increase in street children who find in their peers the security and support lacking in their families. There has also been an exponential increase in pregnancies among adolescents, as well as of early school dropouts among girls who, in the current social context, are the most vulnerable category.
Project description
This project aims to continue to promote the beginning of a normal and sustainable life for 40 women, who returned after a traumatic experience at the hands of the rebels. Kidnapped at the age of 8 – 12, they experienced violence, rape, hunger, degradation and beatings for several years. Many of them died because of all this during the years of captivity. The most “lucky” – if we can say so – managed to escape, but once they returned to their villages of origin they were not welcomed back because they were forced by the rebels to steal and kill and this stigmatization has highly weakened them.
To date, with your help, we have been able to help over 220 women living in the surroundings of Gulu City; for over two years we have been identifying and helping women who have had the same experience and who live in more remote villages. Many are still those who ask for help to start a small business and resume a normal life while also taking care of the children they had with the rebels. We Comboni Sisters have tried as much as possible to be close to them, to listen to them, to accompany them in a recovery process, first of all rebuilding the human and psychological part, restoring hope and trust. We also help them in a process of economic rehabilitation to make them authors of their own sustenance and that of their children, starting them to start small businesses.
Objectives
- To economically rehabilitate a group of 40 women formerly kept in "captivity" by rebels
- To restore their independence, dignity and confidence in the future
- To allow the children of these women to grow up in a safe and healthy environment
Beneficiaries
Direct: 40 women formerly kept in "captivity" by rebels
Indirect: their children, their families and the surrounding society
Referent sister for the project: Sr. Giovanna Calabria
Project's costs