Child
Soldiers
As we arrived in to Gulu and headed
up to Lukodi (about 40 min drive north) I had no idea what to expect. We have spent the last few days just getting
our bearings. I can officially say I am
in the bush of Africa. Complete with mud huts, hammocks, squatty potties, and
make shift bucket shower. Despite the
tougher living conditions I am excited to be working with Child Voice
International.
Northern
Uganda has been ravaged by war for the last 25 years. The Lord’s Resistance Army also known as the
LRA has caused havoc in this region by abducting children and forcing them to
be soldiers in the rebel army. We are
working with women ages 14-25 that have been soldiers in the bush and or been
affected by living in the war zone. The
women all are mothers as the program seeks to effect two generations of those
devastated by the war. Some of the women have been in the bush for 12-15
years. The women go through counseling
and vocational training in order to help rehabilitate them into their
communities. The things I am learning about the realities of child soldiers is
beyond heartbreaking. Sometimes even
after being rescued from the bush kids are not accepted back into their
families because they have killed people.
The war
here in northern Uganda and Lukodi (where CVI is located) Rebel soldiers were
still very much active up until four years ago.
Even our compound an old primary school was the sight of a large
massacre. The founders said when they
arrived blood smeared the walls and bullet holes were everywhere. They estimate that there are still
2,000-3,000 children still being held captive as soldiers in the bush, most
being taken now from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan.
This is
something I researched before coming and had a passion for but to stand on the
soil where so much devastation took place I feel so far removed. This is no longer a problem in a far off
land these are people with names and faces. One the first women I met reached
out with a mangled hand missing a finger.
I can see their physical scars but I can’t help but wonder behind their
beautiful smiles what shadows of such a dark past reside there. I have a lot to learn this month so just be
praying that God moves and that I continue to realize the gravity of being
here. I recommend watching War Dance or
Invincible Children to understand more about Child Soldiers in Northern
Uganda.
