Uganda Project

A project in several parts, supported by non-governmental aid organizations: documenting a day in the life of an AIDS orphan in Kampala (Straight Talk Uganda), a rehabilitation camp for former child soldiers in Gulu (World Vision Uganda), and a family devastated by AIDS in Rakai (Action for Youth Development).

A day in the life of an AIDS orphan in Kampala

Damalee Namulundu, age 10 Damalie lives with her mother's sister and her family. Her mother died of AIDS two years ago. Her father, Patrick, was killed by the Lord's Resistance Army. She has a 12 year old brother who works in a nearby village but she seldom gets to see him. He does not attend school. Damalie sleeps on a mat next to her cousin.

Brushing teeth Preparing the fire Cooking

Airing out the bedclothes The backyard; the woman in the foreground is a neighbor Studying

Getting dressed for school Classroom, Banunule Primary School for Orphans, Kisigu, Kampala

Damalie's teacher, Jacinta Laker: she adopted two orphans from the school. Bathing Damalie with her five-year old cousin who is HIV positive.

Damalie is one of 2.2 million known orphans in Uganda out of a population of 24 million. Eating posho (maize and beans)

A family devastated by AIDS

This family is headed by Ahamed Lubega, 65and his wife, Hajjat Ahamed Namukwaya, 59. Three of their children and their spouses died of AIDS, so the grandparents are raising their six orphaned grandchildren.
Rakai is believed to be the birthplace of the AIDS epidemic and every family is affected. There is only one well for two villages, so people are forced to carry plastic jugs of water for very long distances. This makes it difficult to bathe, and to wash dishes and clothing.

Grandmother washing her hands in an improvised sink

Child cutting plantains Child preparing plaintains for cooking

Stripping banana leaves

One child cutting another child's hair Washing the dishes

Grandfather

Gathering scarce rainwater

Gulu Children of War Center (World Vision, Uganda)

In 1987, Joseph Kony started a movement to overthrow the government of Uganda called the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA). Kony creates his army primarily through the violent abduction and forced enlistment of children. More than 25,000 children have been kidnapped and forced to become soldiers, servants or sex slaves, the last frequently ending up as so-called "child mothers." Occasionally, the captives manage to escape, often after many years of hardship and trauma in the bush. When that happens, the government offers them amnesty for whatever crimes they might have committed in captivity, and the organization World Vision helps them to reintegrate into Ugandan society. Opened in 1995, the Children of War Center provides these returnees with temporary shelter, HIV/AIDS education, food, medical treatment, psychosocial counseling, vocational training, and spiritual nurture; it also facilitates a smooth reunion of the children with their families. More than 15,000 victims have passed through the center.

Former sex slave with her child

Michael, abandoned after a battle with the LRA. He has no known parents

Prayer service Child mothers learning tailoring skills

Reading the bible

Learning to cook

Talking about the past War wounds

One week out of the bush

Nose,lips and ears cut off by the LRA