Often, our analysis of the fight to eliminate Joseph Kony’s Lord’s Resistance Army, or LRA, stops with the act of defection. However, as this video from the Grassroots Reconciliation Group vividly demonstrates, for former child soldiers, the struggle for normalcy continues well after escape from the LRA. For many ex-combatants, reintegrating into their home communities can be a huge obstacle after years spent in the bush. These survivors need assistance as they find a way to become contributing members of northern Ugandan society and come to terms with their difficult histories. Grassroots Reconciliation Group’s livelihood development programming and leadership training helps to bridge that gap.
Over 400 participants have graduated from Grassroots Reconciliation Group’s programs and have started 200 new small businesses.