May 2016 Issue
"A Quality Fruit Company Committed To Bearing Fruit...Fruit That Will Last"
(John 15:16)
Supporting Mothers in Northern Uganda
Vista
Hermosa Foundation has begun a new partnership with a women-led
organization in Gulu, Uganda, called Watye Ki Gen (We Have Hope).
Following a 20-year civil war in their country, these women are working
to rebuild community and are a testament to the power of hope,
forgiveness, and reconciliation.
During
the war, over 50,000 children and youth were abducted by the Lord's
Resistance Army and forced to fight. While the war has ended here, the
effects on young people continue, particularly for young women and their
children. Most female returnees came back with two or more children.
Many of their families have not welcomed them because they do not want
to accept the children who were born in captivity. As such, these young
mothers struggle to survive.
Angela
Lakor was one of these women. She was abducted as a school girl,
forcibly married to an army commander, and abused in captivity for many
years. After escaping with two small children in tow, she met many women
like her, struggling to find acceptance back home. Together, they
founded a community based organization to bring healing and
reconciliation.
Last
summer, we were honored to visit with Angela in Gulu and to hear her
story. This year, through a partnership with Partners Worldwide and
Talanta Finance, we are supporting them to continue their psychosocial
support to children and mothers, lead public education and advocacy
campaigns for the rights of children born in captivity, train teachers
and other community organizations on the special needs of these
children, and provide business training and loans to women to improve
household income.
Suzanne Broetje- Director of Vista Hermosa Foundation
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