Evan Goes to Uganda: To Gulu and Back

After a four-hour drive filled with dodging potholes, speed bumps, and baboons, we finally made it to Gulu. Gulu is a city in Northern Uganda with quite a history. For those of you that aren't familiar with it I will give you a quick synopsis. Northern Uganda lived in fear from about 1989-2006 of the rebel group called the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). This force, led by Joseph Kony, would abduct young boys and girls from villages.The boys were forced to be child soldiers and the girls became wives of the officers. The economy of the North was ruined and families were torn apart. Now that the LRA has left Gulu and moved into southern Sudan, the community is trying to restore what the rebels shattered.

We went to Gulu to meet with a few of our partners. With one group we wanted to research the cases of trafficking that they have identified and document those cases on slaverymap.org. Unfortunately, things don’t always go as planned. Upon reaching Gulu, we found out the organization no longer wanted to partner with us. Although this was frustrating, it gave us opportunity to meet other organizations and make some important partnerships. We met two other organizations that were beneficial. A former child soldier started one of them. It was amazing and eye opening to hear his story. His group tries to help people who were greatly affected by the war integrate back into the community. The other organization helps torture victims in Gulu. We set up a partnership with them both that will help us to map more cases of trafficking in that area.

One of my favorite stops in Gulu was to Ocer Campion Jesuit College. This is one of the projects that Not For Sale is helping fund in Uganda. I was honestly in awe when we pulled up to the gate. I hadn’t seen any other construction in Uganda as well built as this place. I was so excited to be there. We met with Francis, one of the brothers that donated the land for the project, and Tim, the architect of the site. They gave us an overview of what is presently happening and the future of the facility. They also showed us the blueprints for the college. I could not believe my eyes! The part that was already built was a tiny square in the corner. The part that has already been built was on about 3 or 4 acres and the brothers had donated 98 acres to the college! They are even planning to have renewable energy like hydro-electric and solar power. I was very impressed.

This location was also the site of the future amphitheater being built for the Undugu family. Their goal is to bring the community together through music. We were able to see the children’s group practice their performance. Again, I was so impressed! Those kids give it their all, even for practice. I got to try to play a little bit too… I could play the beat, but couldn’t dance if my life depended on it.

One last group we were able to visit with was a church that focuses on interacting with prostitutes. It was heartbreaking to sit in their homes and hear their stories. They are all very similar stories, but each woman has faced different struggles. As a result of these conversations I have inherited an entirely different view on gender and why things are the way they are now. Every day I am faced with things that challenge my attitude, my mentality, my love for others, and my beliefs. I will come back from this trip changed.

-Evan McCormick, BRUTE Guest Blogger