The Journey to Northern Uganda Part 2

Irene and "CHILDCARE Kitgum Servants"

About five days into the trip we arrived in the Northern area of Uganda known as Kitgum. Right in the midst of this war torn area,  we met an amazing Aussie lady who is an absolute inspiration.  Her name is Irene. Almost a modern day mother Theresa with a bit of attitude....

Irene's Story
In 1989, Irene heard about orphans in Uganda needing help so she sold her beach-side home and all her
possessions. She towed her caravan 500 kilometre's from Kampala to the Sudan border. When she arrived, the district had been ravaged by 37 years of war. It was a community of aged widows and orphan children. First, she gathered the destitute children who sat sick and listless all day, and taught  them songs.

Fast forward twenty years to today...
We saw over 9000 kids receiving schooling, meals and medicine.  OMG it was huge!  Thousands of kids with hope in their eyes! wow! A dynamically stark contrast to many other places in Northern Uganda.  Hope! What a moving sight.  These kids also learn building, carpentry, agriculture, etc.  They also have an aids hospice for the terminally ill and lots of other projects.
I was shocked to find out that 80% of these 9000 had been abducted by rebels at some stage.  Irene wasn’t one to sensationalise the war or tell sensational stories about child soldiers.  I think because she had seen
the devastating things of war herself, but she did tell us she had been held by gunpoint many times, she told us how her faith in God had saved her.  Here was this incredible woman who had given up everything to serve those who had lost so much.  Serving, helping, inspiring empowering and so much more to the next generation.  Some of the remarks by students were “childcare servants changed my life!”
and  “I am free!”

My Reaction
It was so fantastic seeing thousands of kids feed and being schooled, it was sad thinking that if Irene had not been there most likely all these kids would have no hope. There are moments in your life that give you a sharp reminder of whats important.  Here’s a woman not striving for success but significance.  Not only living in one of the most remote places of Uganda joyfully serving people but living there by her own choice through a terrible war.

The amazing thing that we can do as Affero is support people and organisations like this.  Who don’t spend money on administration or marketing, nor do they want to,  but spend their moneyon projects and empowering people.  

Peace,
Pete Rees
btw if anyone is thinking of using Zemanta for their blog, don't!  Its annoying and rubbish! ;)