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Lango sub-region, just like the neighbouring Acholi sub-region has borne the brunt of the LRA insurgency. Abductions and massacres took place during the over two decades of the civil strife. The fear and anger generated by the war amongst communities requires more than the rebuilding of ruined infrastructure.
The former abductees, who were forced to fight against their will, ex-combatants who wish to be reintegrated into their communities require some form of counseling, just as do their families and communities at large. It is therefore imperative that psychosocial support be offered to various cross-sections of communities to ensure that the peace is not only of law and order but also of the mind. Indeed, even if communities were to achieve some semblance of normality, the absence of psychosocial support means that under currents of resentment and tension will always be below the surface with occasional flare-ups into conflict, which may turn violent.
NUREP and partners in Lango sub-region are cognizant of this fact and are working closely with concerned communities to ensure that as well as improving livelihood, psychosocial support is offered to communities. NUREP through the Lira based Concerned Parents Association is working towards improved psychosocial well being of communities, under a project entitled ‘Improving Coping Mechanisms and Self-reliance of IDPs in Northern Uganda’.
Concerned Parents Association is implementing the project in the districts of Kitgum, Pader, Gulu, Lira, Oyam and Apac. Training in psychosocial support is a core component of Concerned Parents Association. The organization utilizes the Training of Trainers Methodology. These trainers go back to the community and impart the new skills on other members. All the modules of the training are in Luo (Acholi / Langi), the training takes into account all future livelihood improvement projects placing members in a peace and development mindset. Key areas include crisis intervention and handling of gender based violence.
Concerned Parents also focuses on peace building and reintegration as a core area. Activities revolving around Demobilization, Demilitarization and Reintegration have also been undertaken.
It is important to state from the outset that some of these approaches may sound complex. It is only through responses from the community that their effect can be adequately grasped. New Lives Newsletter visited communities in the far flung Omoro county and Lira Municipality, then held discussions with an ex-combatant seeking reintegration into the community.
Right priorities in Omoro
Concerned Parents Association and its members appreciate the fact that much as communities value peace and reconciliation, it is imperative that conditions are put in place to ensure that the peace is sustainable. Indeed, peace that is held together by consistent social economic activity which is a catalyst for the reconstitution of societal norms that were torn apart by the collapsed fabric of society occasioned by the civil strife in the north of the country.
All income generating activities have a psychosocial support component. Most communities have a set of priorities that they plan to implement in partnership with Concerned Parents Association.
Merging psychosocial support with income generation
Opit Kic Parents Support Group is a group in Omoro Sub-county that has undergone training as trainers in psychosocial support. They fully grasp why it is important for members to train other members of the community on key tenets of conflict resolution. According to the Chairperson of the Group Mr. Joel Okar, the group has 35 active members who have undergone training in various topics such as community mobilization, group dynamics and prevention of child abuse. Members are agreed that training is important since it leads to gradual behaviour change.
They also appreciate that while training other members it is important for them to participate in income generating activities of their choice. During a training session of the members on IGA selection, members explained why they selected two enterprises:
a) Groundnuts
b) Sunflower
According to a member, Mr. Tony Okello, the two enterprises are not costly, weeding requires less labour compared to other enterprises. Above all he says that the returns are high. Mr. Nelson Opiyo, Vice Chairman of the group is of the view that the soil in the area is good while the two enterprises selected by the members are highly marketable. The enterprises can take advantage of the climatic conditions with the first planting season being for groundnuts (April to July) and the second planting season being for sunflower of the hybrid type that is high yielding. This argument is backed by Mr. William Onyaa who explains that the groundnuts will be literally replaced by the sunflower.
In all the training, the members are constantly reminded of the war situation they are trained on key issues such as reconciliation. Ms. Helen Lube, a member of the group explains “Despite the cessation of hostilities, fear is still prevalent. This can only be overcome through training and psychosocial support.” Mr. Jupiter Okello a member concurs with Ms. Lube arguing that the scars of the twenty one year conflict are yet to heal and reconciliation is imperative.
The members have undertaken research into the potential returns of the ventures and established that sunflower and groundnuts are highly lucrative ventures.
Importance of training
In Omoro Sub-county members of two groups (Awoti Ngo Parents Support Group and Can Tye Youth Group) were discussing critical issues such as the importance of training. The discussions were chaired by Mr. Daniel Anyeko.
Benefits of training for Parent Association groups
Ms. Silvia Amoi-Training has supported our members in appreciating group dynamics and the importance of mass mobilization. This has led to reduced conflict amongst the members.
Ms. Rose Obua-Training has exposed us to areas such as proper parenting. In areas such as reconciliation Concern Parents Association has been very helpful.
Andrew Otim-Today we are fully cognizant of the rights of children and modes of child care. We also have better ideas on fighting poverty.
Members outline their achievements
Almost all areas of Lango sub-region were affected by the civil strife. Even the urban areas suffered their share of the crisis Lira Municipality is one such area. It is home to the Par Peko Group supported by Concern Parents Association. The group appreciates the importance of training trainers in psychosocial support. They cite the instability occasioned by the civil strife as being the most critical underlying factor that calls for psychosocial support training.
The group is proud of its various achievements and utilizes psychosocial support training as a spring board for various income generating activities.
Achievements
The group has taken practical steps to establish a nursery school to assist orphans in their locality. The group constructed a nursery school in Lira Municipality. Young Star Nursery School is registered with the district educational authorities. Today 15 children attend the nursery school for rudimentary education.
One major challenge in Lango Sub-region is that of land conflict. The training that the members of the group have received has enabled them to engage in land conflict resolution, avoiding possible flare ups among a host of other conflicts.
Members of Par Peko Group are talking the initiative to reach out to the members of the wider community. Ms. Christine Ayo approached Mr. Alex Otim (a member of the community) and sought to know why he seemed restless. Upon further investigation, she established that he was involved in a land wrangle with a neighbour that had the potential of becoming explosive. She used the skills acquired during the training to diffuse a potentially dangerous situation.
Despite the great strides made by the group, according to Mr. Michael Epero, a member domestic violence remains a major challenge while the nursery school still requires facilities to ensure that the children receive an improved quality of education. According to the Chairman of the group Mr. Richard Ogwang, plans are underway to set up a bee keeping income generating project. The focus is on projects that may ensure support to all households of members.
Vocational Training
Concerned Parents Association appreciates the fact not all members of the community would wish to adopt a particular income generating activity. The youth require a skill that will guide them through life. Concern Parents Association supports youth at the Lira based Human Development Technical Training Institute. The training at the institute offers a wide variety of courses that target the market. Some of the courses offered include the following among others:
i) Carpentry & Joinery
ii) Tailoring
iii) Brick Laying
A total of 43 students are being supported to earn a practical skill that will improve their livelihood. Some of the students were former abductees, others ex-combatants. Mr. Alfred Okello, a tailoring student argues that vocational training is important because it supports the reduction of poverty and consequently vulnerability. His colleague Mr. Johnson Opio believes that vocational training offers a clear path towards self employment. Most of the youth agree that vocational training will go a long way in improving their livelihood. |
Lango region