From Child Soldier to Advocate for Healing
Jennifer’s Story
In the remote village of Bungatira in northern Uganda, life existed under the heavy shadow of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). Infamous for brutal tactics and the abduction of children, the rebels left deep wounds on the community, especially its most vulnerable members. One night, as the moon lit the sky, LRA fighters stormed the village, shattering the stillness with shouts and gunfire.
Amidst the chaos I stood, a twelve-year-old girl with dreams of education and friendshipthat suddenly felt impossibly far away. In an instant, I was torn from my family, mycries swallowed by the turmoil. Abducted and taken to a remote camp, I was thrust intothe grim reality of life as a child soldier.
In an instant, my life changed forever. I was torn from my family, my cries for help swallowed by the turmoil around me. Abducted and thrust into the hands of the LRA, I was taken to a remote camp where the grim reality of being a child soldier awaited me. The rebels stripped away my innocence and forced upon me an unyielding allegiance to a cause I could not comprehend, their twisted vision of a “divine” war.
The training was grueling, and I found myself learning to wield a gun, its weight oddly heavy against my small frame. The fighters - hardened by years of warfare - imparted lessons that extended beyond survival tactics; they sought to numb our emotions entirely. “Fear is a weakness,” one rebel leader warned, his voice cold and commanding. “You must become strong.”
As days turned to weeks, my initial resilience began to fade under the immense pressure of obedience and survival. Yet, amidst the despair, a flicker of hope remained - a longing for freedom, for laughter, for the light that my childhood once held. I found solace in the friendships formed with other abducted children, who shared the same fears and memories of lost families.
📸 Child Soldiers in Northern Uganda:
Reuters/Jacky Naegelen
One fateful day, during a mission to raid a nearby town in Lamwo, our unit faced unexpected resistance from government forces. The air was filled with the cacophony of gunfire and frantic confusion. It was then that I seized a rare opportunity - the chance to escape. With my heart racing, another girl and I fled through the thick underbrush, pushing past the fear that had shackled me for so long.
After days of wandering, we encountered a government forces ambush, their commander shouted for us to stop. I was caught in a moment of agonizing indecision - should I run or stay? My friend chose to run, and in a shocking turn, gunfire rang out for those who fled, and my heart broke as I watched her fall. I was left standing, the weight of loss crushing me.
Eventually, I was taken to a rehabilitation center established by World Vision Uganda. I spent almost six months there, often struggling to find peace even in sleep. It was a time of transformation, as I learned to voice my feelings and confront the painful memories that haunted me. In a supportive group, we shared our stories of loss and resilience, taking the vital first steps toward healing together. Though the scars of my experiences may never fully fade, I learned to channel them into a source of strength.
📸 Interactive Trauma Healing Training | African Leadership Uganda
When I was finally released to return home, I discovered that my mother had succumbed to madness, disconnected from reality, and lashing out in confusion. Attempts to reconnect with my relatives were met with rejection, leaving me with no choice but to accept the turbulent fate that awaited me. I began to care for my mother, both of us searching for food in our struggles.
Fortunately, a mentor from the rehabilitation center connected me with organizations supporting orphans and vulnerable children, enabling me to continue my education until senior six. With each step, I found new doors opening, eventually allowing me to enter university. And then I found myself with African Leadership Uganda and invited into a trauma healing training.
Before this trauma healing training, I equated trauma with being overwhelmed by relentless, painful situations. However, I learned that trauma is a profound wound in both heart and mind, one that takes considerable time to heal. It affects every aspect of life and can create a sense of disconnection from both God and others.
The training profoundly changed my understanding. I learned about trauma’s pervasive impact and recognized it within myself. I discovered the importance of expressing my feelings to heal the wounds of my heart and understand the grieving process, finding comfort in the teachings of Isaiah 61:1–3. I gained insights into a metaphorical “road of life,” comprising three villages: the first of denial and anger, the second of hopelessness, and finally, the new beginning in the third village.
Additionally, I learned vital skills in supporting traumatized children. I now know to observe their behaviors, listen to their pains, and focus on family reunification, asking guiding questions to help them open up. I’ve realized the importance of providing children with truthful information about their situations and incorporating family devotion into our routines.
Moreover, I understand when to refer children to professionals for situations that require specialized care. I’ve learned that healing is a long journey, but through connection and understanding, we can light the way forward, both for ourselves and those we seek to help.
I’m grateful to God for the African Leadership family, which supported this training and enabled me to heal from my trauma. May God richly bless the AL family.
Jennifer now leads trauma-healing trainings for children in Uganda, turning her past into a source of hope and strength for their brighter futures.
We are beyond grateful that she is active within African Leadership’s network. Local leaders like Jennifer are shaping Africa’s future through generations to come.