Gulu Wototo and IDP camps

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Hi there everybody, havent read your messages yet as the internet in Gulu is very unreliable, so we have not been able to get a connection until now. We are enjoying our accommodation at the Acholi Inn, basic accommodation and food, but a gorgeous beer garden and the most polite, though slow working, staff! On Monday we visited an IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) camp with Carl Gaede and his team. Carl and his family have moved to Gulu from the US to run the Empower program, which was developed by Dr Robi Sonderegger in Buderim. It is quite astounding to see how a 2 week program alters the lives of these people, who are so traumatised and downtrodden, we got to hear quite a few testomonies, mainly about how forgiveness had changed their lives and reduced their symptons of post traumatic stress. The groups are divided into three depending on their age, and they meet for a couple of hours a day with volunteers who have been trained in the program.
The IDP camp conditions really needs to be seen to be believed, their are hundreds of mud huts packed in tightly, which may house quite a few people who sleep on the dirt floor and share a toilet. Many of the mothers were working out in the fields, the men too drunk too work, and the children left in the squalor of the camp to fend for themselves. It was heartbreaking to see children as young as 6 years, with a young baby tied to their back with a piece of material. The children only had one piece of clothing which they wear day and night, and it was quite common for the boys shorts to be so torn, that all was holding them on was the elastic, but not covering anything. The babies were all naked, and very lethargic. The children all had protruding bellies, and obviously some were very ill due to the lack of food, dirty water and malaria. They did not have any medical facilities.
The good news was they are so resilient, always smiling, and have an amazing faith and hope. The children loved to play games and interact with us, as their mothers just dont have the energy or time. We had a great day, and were welcomed to the camp with the elders doing their traditional dance and singing for us - such gracious people. It was so overwhelming, I really couldnt take it all in, and had trouble talking about it that night. Carl was very supportive, and has so much compassion and positive hope for these people. The government has decided that all IDP camps need to be closed down (like yesterday) because there has been no rebel activity for the past 2 years. Problem is that now there is constant land disputes, as who owns what land after 10 years in a camp, with various family members now dead? Also, the people do not have the money or resources to rebuild their villages and farms, and have developed a dependance on the various AID agencies, so really it is a tough situation. Many of the children in the camps are orphans so really dont have anywhere to return to. I spoke with one lady who has to crawl around the ground, as she was so badly beaten by the rebels that she is now paralyzed. She has 3 children that she cant look after , and no husband (rape is extremely commonplace), however she was the first person to turn up each day to the Empower program. Those sort of stories are so common, and it seems as if everyone in Gulu has been effected by the war, and lost many family members.
We went out the second day to the camp, and got to contribute a bit to the program. We took a soccer ball out with us, and Fiona got them all involved in a soccer game which they love. We went out to dinner that night with Carl and his 2 little girls and got to talk about his vision. It is hard not to despair.

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Photos

IDP camp
Children caring for their siblings

IDP camp
Children upset as too young to join the Empower program today

IDP Camp
Gorgeous children wanting to play

IDP Camp
much sadness in their gorgeous eyes

IDP Camp
such loving children. Most babies dehydrated and malnourished, heartbreaking

IDP Camp
Climbing school window, not much to do - only one lot of clothes for each child - so much determination and resilience

Comments

[Deb R]

Hi Lisa. The scenes you describe are difficult to believe. Keep it all close - your impressions are vivid and will be the best thing to raise awareness to get more help for the people of Gulu. Thinking of you...Deb