Pictures that stick to your memory
von Ivola Hell
Things have improved for former child soldiers in northern Uganda since the ‘Rebound’ project first started in 2008. One year on, the project initiators Wolfgang Niedecken and Manfred Hell returned to Uganda to see the first signs of success. Ivola Hell, 16-year old daughter of the JACK WOLFSKIN CEO, accompanied them and kept a travel diary to record her impressions.
Friday, February 20, 2009:
I'm sitting in the plane to Entebbe, Uganda. This is a journey into the unknown for me, even though I've had a lot to do with Uganda recently. The civil war there has been going on for over 20 years. In the territory of the Acholi people, in northern Uganda, the rebel leader Joseph Kony formed an army called the “Lord's Resistance Army” (LRA).
For a long time now, his army has not even been supported by people from his own ethnic group. This is why he started to kidnap children in the jungle and force them to fight as soldiers. [...] In early 2008, the Rebound project was initiated in cooperation with the development organization “World Vision” to help former child soldiers. The main aim is to give as many children as possible a vocational education. This will then help them get integrated back into society. A further goal is to raise awareness of the problems these children face. [...] As the plane flies on, I notice that I'm getting more and more nervous. Will I find only misery and poverty? What will the people be like? [...]
Monday, February 23, 2009:
[...] Everywhere you look there is luscious, green vegetation. I'm surprised – I expected Uganda to be sandy, dusty and bare. If the country is so fertile, why do so many people go hungry?
At Pader, we are guests of the “Girl’s Academy”, a vocational school for former female child soldiers. Many of the girls were raped and have their own children: they gave birth sometimes as young as 12 or 13.
The girls learn different skills in the school such as baking and sewing. The qualification they get is to help them to earn a living and to give them a perspective for the future. [...] There's not enough money and space to help all the children. However,‘Rebound’ sponsorship collected so far has made it possible to build a larger dormitory for the Girl's Academy. The girls have three-storey bunk beds and to accommodate as many as possible, most sleep two or three to a bed. At least they have a roof over their heads. [...]
Tuesday, February 24, 2009:
Today we visit a boy’s school in Kalongo, a village near Pader. With the help of Rebound donations, in the future more former child soldiers will learn carpentry skills here. We’re welcomed by impressive dancing and great music. It is fascinating – and really gets to you. It’s wonderful to see the children laughing and enjoying themselves, despite them having been through so much. [...] The Rebound project also includes theatre groups, workshops on various topics and sport. These help the kids to learn about teamwork and to deal with their experiences. [...]
Wednesday, February 25, 2009:
Today’s program starts with a visit to a vocational school in Pajule, where children train to become bricklayers. It’s amazing to see how much has been done with the Rebound money. I didn’t expect to see all this! [...] At the end of the visit, Wolfgang sings his song, “Noh Gulu” (“Going to Gulu”). He wrote the song for all children in Uganda, who for many years had to leave their homes every evening and travel to the nearest city in fear of attacks by the soldiers. When he asks the children which of them was a “night commuter”, all hands go up. It sent shivers down my spine. [...]
In the afternoon, we return to Gulu, where we visit the World VisionReception Center. The camp takes in former child soldiers. [...] The psychologist there said that many of these children would probably never lead a normal life again. A first step for dealing with their trauma is often for the children to draw what happened to them. I take a look at the pictures and am appalled by what I saw. [...] We had a chance to talk to some of the former child soldiers before we left the camp. I am amazed that they talk so openly about their experiences. Agirl we spoke to clearly found it difficult to talk about her violentabduction and how she was forced to kill. She broke down in tears. Weall left the centre deeply affected.
Thursday, February 26, 2009:
[...] Our visit to a large hospital near Gulu is a chilling experience. There is a foul smell in the air wherever we go. We take a look at one of the wards. It is a large, open room with around 100 beds. Some of the beds had to be shared. I was told that it was one of the better hospitals.
In one bed there is a young woman, maybe 18 or 19 years of age. She had a young baby with her. Babies are normally a source of happiness, but this young mother doesn't look like she is happy at all. She looked miserable, exhausted and desperate. You could see the helplessness in her eyes. She smiled weakly at us and explained that this was her fourth child. I have to admit that I was glad to leave. In bed tonight, there are so many things going through my head: especially my encounter with this young woman. What really strikes me here though is that people still remain themselves, they still somehow carry on, in spite of their situation. [...]
Friday, February 27, 2009:
[...] When I compare what I have seen to my father’s report from last year, it’s clear that some things have really improved for people here.Above all, they now have hope that they won’t be attacked by rebels again. In the evening as I sit in the plane in Entebbe, I'm glad to be on the way home. I think it’s going to take me a long time to come to terms with all the things I've seen here.