The long way to Gulu Well there certainly is no dull moments over there by the sounds of things. Shame about lake Victoria being dirty. I guess that is what to expect when the whole of that part of Africa drains into it. I guess you are seeing first hand what the place is like now. It will be interesting to hear your stories and how the place could be made to progress to a more equitable place... but need lots of education and local champions to make that happen.
Take plenty of pics, particularly with the Ugandan do!!.
love you xxx
hey mumma geuss what yesterday at work i cut my finger really bad and blood spourted out everywhere like even on my neck it was pretty gross but its okay now i just have heaps of bandaids on it.
Hi Girls. Hope the trip to Uganda went well and that you are not suffering too much from culture shock. All well here. Had the first session of root canal done and it wasn't too bad. Back on Friday to finish it off. Keep safe you two.
Liz x
your adventure begins! Wonderful to know you both so well and the trip to date is without incident...keep it that way girls! My Year 3 class are very interested in your trip and they want to learn all about Uganda so we have the world map taped to the whiteboard to track your travels...they were fascinated about you guys taking coloured pencils and we say a special prayer for you all during special intentions each morning! Thinking of you both and look forward to the latest instalment...love to you -Gabriela in freezing Canberra Australia
Hi there Jon
i am so thankful for your update, and am grateful to learn more about the reality of what is happening in Gulu now. So much of the information we receive is outdated, so this information is so vital, and also very positive! I will include information about the ceasefire on the blog. It is wonderful to hear that people are returning to their villages, it will go some way to healing their scars.
What are you doing in Uganda? Nice to hear from you. Lisa (Australia)
Reality What you wrote was certainly true. Uganda had over 2 million internally displaced people in terrible camps...I live here and have often been in the north...the news in Uganda is one about people slowly returning home to their villages...if I read your article correctly, there is nothing about the cessation of fire that has been in place for the last two years. That Kony has not been active for in Uganda for two years. That the night commuter situation of children in Northern Uganda has stopped and children remain in their homes instead of sleeping in towns like Gulu because the fear of abductions is slowly dissipating.
That Northern Uganda is slowly rebuilding, schools are opening, fields are once again being tended, even a wildlife reserve has reopened and animals are being relocated into it.
That Gulu under the leadership of Mr. Mayo is becoming an example for other Ugandan cities.
The scars of people, especially the inner ones will take a lifetime if ever to be removed...but Northern Uganda is on the mend.
Mr. Kony, the former altar boy has taken his terror to nearby DRC, at times South Sudan and even the CAR. Three nations tried to kill or capture him in a period of three months that just ended, but were able to diminish the capabilities of the LRA...some child soldiers were freed including some women who were concubines with their children.
The peace treaty, the reason you gave is correct, he is afraid to be tried by the International Criminal Court and wants amnesty.
You can read of what is really going on in Uganda by reading "the New Vision on line, the Monitor, the Weekly Observer and the weekly magazine Independent."
Thank goodness that those camps are slowly emptying and when you visit Northern Uganda may you see the reality of a slow rebuilding but it is coming alive and businesses are locating there, new establishments area opening...but then in the West, especially the USA it is "The war in Northern Uganda...hmmm...
You will carry us with you on your journey Lisa
My friend which for which I am truly blessed...we walk with you on your journey and you will be carrying us in your pockets...with you walks our love and our belief in you as a person with the courage to step outside our comfortable lives and dare to make a difference...may your eyes be opened and your heart enlarged...may you be entrusted with what you discover and return to us and share the wonder of the human spirit and the dream that if we give of ourselves the rewards are immeasurable!
Thanks sister Hi Lis
Got on to your blog to make sure I could view it before you left. Thanks for the info, its amazing that there is so little written and known about what goes on in Northern Uganda, particularly in Australia, where I think there are not many Ugandan refugees.
I read about Empower as well. Have you and Fiona both done the training already?
My name is Lisa and I am 44 years old. I am married to Matthew and we have three children, Jack 18 Georgia 15 and Abbey 14.
In May 2009, I am travelling to Uganda for 3 weeks with my good friend Fiona. We intend travelling to Lira and Gulu to offer support to the Empower Trauma Rehabilitation Program for children who have been abducted by the Lords Resistance Army.
Please go to www.thefrontline.org.au for more information.... full info
Sam
non-member comment
The long way to Gulu
Well there certainly is no dull moments over there by the sounds of things. Shame about lake Victoria being dirty. I guess that is what to expect when the whole of that part of Africa drains into it. I guess you are seeing first hand what the place is like now. It will be interesting to hear your stories and how the place could be made to progress to a more equitable place... but need lots of education and local champions to make that happen. Take plenty of pics, particularly with the Ugandan do!!. love you xxx