Trauma Counseling for Child Survivors of War

When James was 10 years old he had to make a brave decision.  He had to choose to leave all that he knew, and make the long journey to Uganda. 

In 2018, while James was attending school in South Sudan, his village was attacked by rebels.  He rushed home from school and found that many in had been killed including his father.  James had lost his mother a few years before.  The loss of his father was overwhelming.  He didn't have anyone left. 

James made the courageous decision to walk with a group of others who were affected by the conflict towards Uganda.  He had heard that education was free in Uganda and that he would get food support while in Uganda.  For him to have a future, James felt that going to Uganda was his best chance.  

He made his way to Uganda.  James does receive food support while living in the refugee settlement, but due to lack of funding, food rations have been cut.  What he receives is not enough for him to make it through the month.  He also quickly realized that school in Uganda is not completely free.  There are other costs and needs that have to be paid in order for him to study. James is no 15 years old.  With no parents to support him, James has had to look for work in the surrounding area around the outside of the refugee settlement. 

James has experienced things that no child should ever have to.  While struggling to find his way in Uganda, James shared with I Live Again Uganda's counseling team that, "At times, I've just wanted to give up and kill myself."  James needed urgent support. 

Thanks to generous and compassionate supporters, I Live Again Uganda has been able to provide regular counseling support to James and so many other child refugees from South Sudan.  

"Since coming to the programs at I Live Again Uganda, I am finding releif.  I feel like someone actually cares about me and that someone understands the challenges that I have had to face."

While at I Live Again Uganda's counseling programs James has found hope.  "They helped me realize that I have a future.  They helped me realize that I have to let go of the pain that happened to me and focus on the future ahead."

James is a life that is now full of hope.  Despite the challenges that he faces on a regular basis, James knows that he has support, that he is not alone and that he has a good future ahead. 

"I don't think about killing myself anymore. I am working hard and focusing on my future.  Things have changed."

In the last 6 months, I Live Again Uganda has provided counseling support to over 1500 children that have been affected by war.  James is one life that has been changed.

Your support matters.  You are making a difference in so may lives through your regular partnership with I Live Again Uganda. 

Thank you for your generoisty!

*Names have been changed to protect our beneficiaries

We hope that 2023 has started well for you!

We are grateful for your support!! 

There are over 1.5 million refugees in Uganda today.  Due to this high number of refugees in the country (Uganda is hosting the most refugees in all of Africa), there are many refugee settlements set up around the country.

In the refugee settlement where I Live Again Uganda is serving there are over 71,000 refugees.  This past year 1055 child refugees from South Sudan recevied psycholocial services from I Live Again Uganda in the refugee settlement where we are established!  We couldn't have done it without you!  1055 stories have been changed from hopeless to hopeFILLED because you are standing with us and refugee children.

The refugee settlement where we provide services is extremely large and vast.  We simply cannot be in all areas of the settlement at one time.  The settlement is broken up into blocks and zones. At one point, I Live Again Uganda was called to a specific area of the refugee settlement to establish urgently needed Trauma Counseling services for children. This was because a child had attempted suicide.  Our hearts broke hearing this.  But, because of our generous donors and friends around the world, we were able to respond quickly, meet the child, establish trust and counseling support immediately for not only the child but the entire family.    We are grateful that this young life is now safe and filled with hope and excitement for their future.  The refugee leaders in this area welcomed us and are so grateful that we are not only in the refugee settlement serving adults but also the children. 

"Many organizations are here focusing on the adults, but our children have trauma from the conflict in South Sudan too." one of leaders said in appeciation for I Live Again Uganda's support.

This year, I Live Again Uganda is well established in this specific area of the refugee settlement and is providing regular psychosocial support for children, families and adults in this high need area of the settlement.

Thank you for your generous giving. 

We simply cannot save lives by restoring hope without you.