why Iganga and lamwo?
1. iganga - eastern uganda
"Our Village" is translated to "Ekyaro Kyaife" in Lusoga, the local language in Iganga District where we are registered as a CBO (community-based organization). Iganga District is located in eastern Uganda and has an estimated population of 680,000 people, of whom 371,000 (57%) are children. Of those are 144,000 (45%) orphans and vulnerable children (Uganda Bureau of Statistics, 2007). It is easy to understand why children are our primary focus. The needs are high in Iganga, where there's an HIV rate of 15% (Iganga Muncipal Council), which is over double Uganda's national average of 6.5% (UNAIDS, 2010). HIV has had a large social and economic impact on the area.
The needs are clear in Iganga, but “slowly, slowly”, as Ugandans say, we will work towards a better future. It has been a blessing working in this area and with the Busoga Tribe (the tribe in Iganga). We have been fortunate to partner with many dedicated and hard-working people who consider visitors a blessing, love to bless them with a meal, and who have a heart for God. We continue to learn so much from the children at Ekyaro Kyaife - they have a happiness which defies their circumstances and a persevering attitude which has the potential to change Iganga and Uganda.
The needs are clear in Iganga, but “slowly, slowly”, as Ugandans say, we will work towards a better future. It has been a blessing working in this area and with the Busoga Tribe (the tribe in Iganga). We have been fortunate to partner with many dedicated and hard-working people who consider visitors a blessing, love to bless them with a meal, and who have a heart for God. We continue to learn so much from the children at Ekyaro Kyaife - they have a happiness which defies their circumstances and a persevering attitude which has the potential to change Iganga and Uganda.
2. Lamwo - Northern uganda
Northern Ugandans lived through a 20-year rebel war that spanned from 1986 to 2006. During this time, 1.7 million people were forced to leave their homes and live in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps. 80% of the 1.7 million people were women and children. Many women and children were abducted into the rebel army and forced to do horrendous acts. Since 2006, the people of Northern Uganda have got to enjoy a cessation of war. However, there are still many scars, and as Mary a widowed Acholi women exclaimed, “as you look around at us, you can see the pain still in our eyes”. The Acholi people are working hard to re-start their lives. The challenges are numerous, but upon visiting the Acholi one cannot help but be humbled by their willingness to work hard with their small means.
How did this partnership begin?
“We need counseling, we don’t know how to live anymore. So many people are committing suicide”, wrenched James Olul, LC3 of the Padibe East IDP camp. He was responding to Terra’s question in 2007, “what do your people need?”. Terra was expecting a call for material assistance. The war was over, but people didn’t know how to live anymore. Children had grown up in war and in these terrible IDP camps. Landmines were being cleared off the land and the opportunity to go “home” had finally come. The Acholi people were preparing to go back to homes that now were just bush with nothing except the clothes on their backs. It was through this pain that OVU decided to start with a seed entrusted to the women of Lamwo. These seeds represent the hope of better days. Quite proverbially, the Acholi women stated, "If you give us seeds to grow crops, we can start to rebuild our communities".
How did this partnership begin?
“We need counseling, we don’t know how to live anymore. So many people are committing suicide”, wrenched James Olul, LC3 of the Padibe East IDP camp. He was responding to Terra’s question in 2007, “what do your people need?”. Terra was expecting a call for material assistance. The war was over, but people didn’t know how to live anymore. Children had grown up in war and in these terrible IDP camps. Landmines were being cleared off the land and the opportunity to go “home” had finally come. The Acholi people were preparing to go back to homes that now were just bush with nothing except the clothes on their backs. It was through this pain that OVU decided to start with a seed entrusted to the women of Lamwo. These seeds represent the hope of better days. Quite proverbially, the Acholi women stated, "If you give us seeds to grow crops, we can start to rebuild our communities".