Jenneth
At the age of 14, Jenneth was kidnapped on her way to school and forced to become a child soldier, innocently caught up in the conflict between the rebel Lord’s Resistance Army and the Ugandan government. For five years Jenneth survived the savage regime of the LRA living in constant fear of her life. At 21 Jenneth was able to flee the bush and start a new life.
Rescued by a priest who had bravely entered LRA territory, Jenneth was taken to a centre for practical skills training, funded by SCIAF. Along with other girls who had been abducted, she was given counseling and the chance to learn how to support herself and provide for her two children. Robbed of a proper education she chose to take a three year course in tailoring and now hopes to start her own business.
Today Jenneth is safe and looks forward to a brighter future for herself, Wulter and Gurfre, her young boys.
"Life is good at St Monica's. I don’t know what would have happened to me if I had not been brought here."
Jenneth's video story
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Jenneth's Photos
Conflict and Poverty in northern Uganda
- One third of the population lives in poverty.
- Up to 2 million people have been displaced by the conflict.
- 25,000 children have been abducted and forced to fight as child soldiers
In northern Uganda, 20 years of fighting between the Ugandan government and the rebel Lord's Resistance Army has devastated the population. During the LRA's terror campaign indiscriminate killings and mutilation were widespread and thousands of children were abducted for recruitment as child soldiers. Since 2006, fragile peace negotiations have provided hope of a resolution to the conflict but the huge problem of reintegrating former child soldiers remains.
The WEE BOX photo gallery showcases some of the fantastic WEE changes SCIAF supporters are making this Lent.
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