Refugee Camps

Refugee Camps- Lira and Gulu

During December 2004 Ruth visited many refugee camps in Northern Uganda - the sights, smells and stories from these camps are horrific. There are many orphans from the conflict with the "Lord's Resistance Army" that ravaged the countryside for 18 years. Ruth met children who had witnessed appalling violence and met men and women who had been mutilated by the insurgents. In many of the camps children were "night commuters"- moving into the camps at dusk for safety. This conflict is now over, but many people are still suffering from the horrors they experienced. 

Following Ruth’s visits in 2005 and 2006, Aim for Change registered 14 children from the Cultural Centre Refugee Camp, Lira, to begin full time education. These children attend boarding school, due to the remoteness of their home villages and many are sponsored by people in the UK. Some still require sponsorship - please consider this at just £150 per year.

Since the end of the conflict, families have now returned to their native villages. In 2009 a cultivation programme was set up with many refugee families receiving seeds to cultivate an acre of land. This project has been extremely successful and the programme now extends into 6 districts across northern Uganda. 


          

Some of the children are now in senior education and, due to the success of the cultivation, their families are now able to contribute towards some of the costs for school equipment.

Below you can see a few of the charity’s children from Lira, who are growing into responsible young people. Also, one of the many cultivation projects can be seen here, along with some of the produce harvested by the families. These photos added in 2012. 

Cultural Centre Camp - Lira

Aim for Change has decided to focus our efforts on this camp near Lira. Whilst there are thousands of children within the camp, we recognise the potential for education to lift children out of despair. This pilot project, which we call "Secure their Future" will expand in the coming years to provide education for more refugee children. Following Ruth's recent visits in 2005 & 2006 we have registered 14 children from this camp to begin full time education. We have provided uniforms, shoes, books, pencils and more. Due to a recent cease-fire, many families are now returning to their native villages and so the children are now attending a boarding school. Some of these children still require sponsorship - please consider this as just £150 per year.

Aim for Change is still providing some support to Lugora Camp (near the Sudan border) and Lacho Night Commuters Camp.