Canokema David

Today we took the participants to GUSCO Gulu Support the Children Organisation, a rehabiliation center for abducted children who return from the bush. There are only 6 children at the center currently, down from upwards of 300 at any given time 2 years ago. They assume that this means that fewer children are being abducted.

We then went to Paicho IDP Camp, a 40 minute drive from Gulu town. Many people have left the camp since the peace talks began in August, however there are still over 15,000 in that camp alone (and there are many camps) living in horrible conditions. A boy named David came up and walked with me the rest of the day. He was abducted in 2002 and escaped the rebels in 2004. He escaped by running and was shot in the back of his leg. He went through GUSCO (mentioned above) and received amnesty from the government. He carries his amnesty card with him. Unfortunately when he returned, his father, who is in the UPDF (Uganda's military) would not accept him (because he was a "rebel") so he lives in town with an aunt and the government pays for his school fees. All he asked for was my name. I don't think the experience of being in the camp has hit me yet... I would definitely like to spend more time there and see David again...