Northern Uganda Women and Children Support Initiative, Inc. (NUWOCSI)

In 2008, I took a short mission trip to Uganda.  This trip, which was sponsored by Every Child Ministries (ECM), allowed me to be part of a team that ministered to children through Bible clubs and first aid programs.  We visited children in both the city of Kampala and in Gulu, in northern Uganda.

Northern Uganda was at war for over 20 years with a rebel group called the Lord’s Resistance Army or LRA which is led by a man named Joseph Kony.  The LRA has caused much destruction and atrocities to the Acholi people in Gulu.  Currently, there is peace and the people of Gulu are now struggling to regain their life and move out of the IDP (Internally Displaced People) camps that they have been forced to call home in order to keep themselves safe from the LRA. Though the conflict has finally gained more international awareness, the damage is great.

Camp conditions have led to acute malnutrition in children with many suffering from malaria, pneumonia, diarrhea and preventable diseases.  Young people have not only been displaced physically but have also lost their role in society and social responsibilities.  Most can’t afford to pay school fees so there are many growing up without formal schooling, leaving little chance of any gainful employment.

I have decided to return to Uganda as a missionary with ECM working with children and young people in the Gulu area.  I have a special heart for the young mothers struggling to raise their children and as part of the ECM team we will work at developing occupational training, provide tutoring and nursing care to these young people and children, in addition to conducting bible studies and children bible clubs.

Gulu Bible Club