Bushfire kids

Though featured very little on British TV, the East African country of Uganda has suffered terribly at the hands of the rebel group, the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). Over the past two decades they abducted an estimated 20,000 children forcing many to become soldiers while subjecting them to violence and rape. Where approximately 20% of the entire nation's children are orphans, the massacres and mutilations of the LRA are largely to blame for the tearing apart of families.

Despite signing a truce with the government last summer a further 1.6 million people continue to live in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps where 60% of these people are aged between 0 - 18 years old. Without free health care, education or social services, many of the children are forced into providing 'sexual favours' to the camp guards, simply to remain alive. The situation, particularly in the North, is by no means stable. The numerous orphans - like any children - need stability.

Bushfire are supporting the work of two existing orphanages in Kampala, and a further orphanage due to be built in the North of Uganda during the coming months by our dear friend from London.

Max, a 23-year-old friend moved to Uganda in April ‘06 in order to rescue orphans from the IDP camps. Together with a young Canadian couple, he travelled up north, negotiated with the camp’s guards and, with overloaded vehicles, brought over 60 orphans to their newly opened orphanage in Kampala. They now receive regular food, clothing, education and – perhaps most important – love and a ‘Mama’. Upon visiting the orphans we were moved to tears as they recalled their recent journey from a life of violence, hunger and hopelessness to one of safety, love and education. While a large cooking pot of maize porridge simmered in the courtyard, we mixed with them, presenting them with soft toys, pens, paper, tooth brushes… gifts that they were overwhelmed to receive. This summer we’ll be returning to Kampala to continue working with the local churches, and supporting the orphanages.

Please consider supporting Bushfire in helping these vulnerable children, where every penny counts.