The Rebound project – one year on: off to a good start
UgandaThe average elevation of the Republic of Uganda is 1,000 metres above sea level in the Central African Highlands. more, in the verdant east of Africa, offers an undulating, lush, fertile and enchanting landscape – and yet the north of the country carries the deep scars of a war that has been raging for over 20 years.
A war that has been characterised by unthinkable acts of brutality, carried out against the most vulnerable members of society – children – who were kidnapped and ultimately mobilised for a war against their own people, their own villages, brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, and whose return to the community is now being prohibited.
Joseph KonyJoseph Kony is one of the most wanted militia leaders in the world. more and his Lord’s Resistance Army kidnapped tens of thousands of children over a period of two decades, training them as Child soldiersA child soldier is: “... any person below 18 years of age who is or has been recruited or used by an armed force or armed group (...), more, sex slaves, stealing their dignity and futures, and keeping them prisoner in the jungle without the possibility of them ever returning to their families.
To attempt to escape from Kony’s hideaway meant almost certain death, yet even if the escape succeeded, all that would be waiting at home would be uprooted, decimated families without a provider. The reintroduction to the community of these children, who are both victims and perpetrators, poses great difficulties. Kony’s kidnapping of children has gradually declined, and yet nobody knows how many are still enslaved under his command.
Today, the majority of internment camps or reception centres are empty, where just two or three years ago hundreds of traumatised children, many of whom had survived cruel mutilation, were taken in and cared for. Even now, however, an increasing number of former Child soldiersA child soldier is: “... any person below 18 years of age who is or has been recruited or used by an armed force or armed group (...), more are reappearing. Nobody knows where they come from or how long they have been hidden in the jungle, fighting for survival.
Jack Wolfskin first called for support for the newly founded Rebound project in this catalogue one year ago. Jack Wolfskin boss Manfred Hell initiated a trip to the warzone in the north of the country with the lead singer of rock band BAP, Wolfgang NiedeckenWolfgang Niedecken is a musician and visual artist who hails from Cologne. more.
Together with experienced aid workers from the international aid organisation World Vision, the project began to take shape. Even though funding has been secured for “Rebound”, we are still looking to raise awareness for the project and the situation in UgandaThe average elevation of the Republic of Uganda is 1,000 metres above sea level in the Central African Highlands. more, as well as encouraging as many people as possible to make donations.
Only a limited number of people in need can currently take part in the aid project’s programme, something which you can change! A year has gone by since then, and it’s time for an update.
Jack Wolfskin first called for support for the newly founded Rebound project in this catalogue one year ago. Jack Wolfskin boss Manfred Hell initiated a trip to the warzone in the north of the country with the lead singer of rock band BAP, Wolfgang NiedeckenWolfgang Niedecken is a musician and visual artist who hails from Cologne. more.
Together with experienced aid workers from the international aid organisation World Vision, the project began to take shape.