My Project Area

This is where I am… exactly. The right most point is Lira where I live.my work duties will be split between the Planning office and the Community Development office  in the District Local Council. The left point is our sister office in Gulu. In between there is also a center for youth training called the Northern Uganda Youth Development Center. All three locations are participating in the project. 

Geographically, Uganda is divided into Regions,sub regions, districts, counties, parishes and villages. Lira is in the North Region and the Lango sub region. Lira is the District where I will be working and it has been decided that we will be concentrating our project in two Sub counties within Lira district – Aromo and Ogur. The sub counties have been chosen based on poverty levels and impact of the LRA war. They are the closest to the more northern District of Pader where the LRA conducted many of their raids and there were IDP (internally displaced peoples) camps. People in this area have returned to their villages and are beginning to return to normal life. Sustenance agriculture will be a main part of this. So for this first part of the project we will be collecting data from these regions about the lifestyle and economic opportunities for the youth as well as identifying Youth Groups to be working with. Agricultural training for the youth will be a focus.

Coincidently, while sitting in the local cafe – Sankofa waiting for my language teacher (Bob) a very nice young woman sat down across from me, and introduced herself. Carolyn is a war orphan, from Aromo sub county, her entire family was killed in a raid by LRA soldiers. She has graduated from University in Social work and has done an internship with the Community Development Office (CDO), where I am working now. She told me of her struggles during the time of the LRA war and was a valuable resource on the issues of village life and their ongoing struggles. We talked specifically about street youth here in Lira and whether they may return to their villages if there knew of opportunities that are developing there.

I have just recently moved to the CDO from Planning office, and this week has seen me more involved in activities. We visited a few sub counties and have had a few meetings. We are also preparing for Women's Day activities. Should be some videos coming from that event as they are encouraging me to bring my camera every time we do things.