Kiwis help to heal the scars of Uganda's war

Kiwis help to heal the scars of Uganda’s brutal war

The people of Uganda have endured more than 20 years of unimaginable terror and violence at the hands of the notorious Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA); victims like Nancy Auma. Nancy was abducted at the age of seven and facially mutilated because she couldn’t keep up with the army’s movements. You hear Nancy’s story of courage by visiting www.tearfund.org.nz/givehope/

Now that the LRA led by Joseph Kony has been forced out of Uganda, TEAR Fund NZ together with Watoto children’s ministries, is bringing hope and dignity back to the thousands who were brutally disfigured by helping to fund operations to repair the horrific scars.

TEAR Fund marketing manager, Sheena Duffy said, “Nancy’s story was very moving, so much so that we were motivated to join with Watoto to do something; but we need the help of our fellow Kiwis.”

The reality was that Nancy is just one of many children who had suffered in similar attacks, she said. “It is hard for us to imagine the suffering these children have gone through. But it is not just the physical scars that remain with them, these wounds have left emotional scars and they are ostracised, embarrassed and ashamed.”

She said, while this sort of surgery is generally very expensive, an international team of surgeons has donated their time to perform the surgeries. So it is amazing what can be achieved for a little; every donation can help transform a life of a Ugandan war survivor.

The children and women who undergo this surgery are accommodated while the procedures are being performed and also receive counselling. TEAR Fund NZ and Watoto is hoping to fund 170 surgeries over the next two years.

To donate visit: www.tearfund.org.nz/givehope/

ENDS

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