"Faces of Uganda #1"pastel on velour
16x20
Northern Uganda and Southern Sudan are in a state of turmoil at the hands of rebel terrorists who claim to be christians and call themselves the Lords Resistance Army (LRA). For over 20 years this organization has wreaked havoc on families, communities and regions as they “recruit” members by means of torture, maiming, and murder. For years now the government has moved people from their homes into “displaced persons camps” but even there, they are not safe.
In order to avoid the raids made by the LRA the children leave there villages, and the camps every evening to walk into towns where they spend the night, many sleeping on the street, before they walk home in the morning (some up to 11 miles one way). There are some shelters available, which can attract up to 600 children per night.
Slowly the outside world is becoming more aware of what is going on, as notable figures in the media such as Oprah are helping to raise awareness of the plight of the children in these areas.
For a first hand look at the stories of some of these children, I would recommend the book “The Aboke Girls: Children abducted in Northern Uganda” by Els De Temmerman. However realize that this in not “light” reading.
The proceeds from the sale of this portrait, its prints and cards and others in the series “Faces of Uganda” #1-12 will go to Far Reaching Ministries who help support a night shelter and orphanage in Kitgum, Northern Uganda.
posted by Cindy at 2:00 PM
