Children continue to be the main casualties in the 20-year-old war in northern Uganda between government forces and rebels who are known as the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA). The LRA has abducted more than 20,000 children. These boys and girls are beaten, tortured, raped, forced to fight, and sometimes killed.

Night Commuters
Terrified of being abducted by the LRA at night, as many as 40,000 children leave their rural homes every evening. Known as "night commuters," these children walk up to 12 kilometres to neighbouring towns (including Gulu, Pader, and Kitgum). They sleep on the street or in public buildings. They hope there is safety in numbers.

Abducted Children
Abducted children are often forced to murder their own family members and burn down their villages. The LRA does this to make the children believe they won't be welcomed back to their communities should they escape.

Children Who Escape
Thankfully, thousands of children have escaped or been liberated by government forces. However, these children are usually severely traumatized. There are few social services available to help them recover. Most children have little education and few vocational skills. They are often rejected by their families and communities because of the atrocities they have committed. Many girls who were raped in captivity are now mothers. HIV rates are high. Although they are free, these children have little hope for the future.

World Vision is There
In 1995, World Vision established a centre to help former captive children restore their hope. Staff members have helped more than 13,000 children reintegrate into their communities. Children have received physical, psychosocial, and spiritual therapy. Many have returned to school or have launched their own small businesses and shops with vocational skills they learned at the centre.

In addition to providing practical care, World Vision is supporting international peace efforts to end this war that has claimed the lives of thousands of innocent children. World Vision has been working in Uganda since 1986.

You Can Help
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