Abduction
In Uganda, child soldiers who escape their captors are brought to a rehabilitation centre in Gulu, where Anna Kari photographed their life and spoke to one of the boys.
Eighteen-year-old John (not his real name) is one of the ex-soldiers at Gusco, who knows personally how hard it is to integrate back into the community. He was abducted twice.
“Before I was abducted I was a happy school boy, I had five sisters and one brother.”
In Uganda, child soldiers who escape their captors are brought to a rehabilitation centre in Gulu, where Anna Kari photographed their life and spoke to one of the boys.
Eighteen-year-old John (not his real name) is one of the ex-soldiers at Gusco, who knows personally how hard it is to integrate back into the community. He was abducted twice.
“Before I was abducted I was a happy school boy, I had five sisters and one brother.”
Cooking and cleaningAt the Gusco centre, John and the other children take part in cooking and cleaning.
They have group therapy sessions, play music and watch films – as they readjust to civilian life. Thousands of children have been forced to become soldiers in the 18-year war.
“When I and my brother were abducted, I knew exactly what was going to happen to us: We used to hear about the LRA in the village, about how they abduct and torture children and force them to abduct rebels."
Brother killed
“They trained us as soldiers. I was in so many battles I don’t even remember the number.”
John’s brother was killed while with the LRA.
The rebels used to tell the children that if they ran away the Ugandan army would kill them, or they would be poisoned.
“One day we were resting after a fierce battle, it was raining and everyone was very tired. I started to think about home, about my friends… I just couldn’t take it any more, and I just got up and started to walk away.”
“They trained us as soldiers. I was in so many battles I don’t even remember the number.”
John’s brother was killed while with the LRA.
The rebels used to tell the children that if they ran away the Ugandan army would kill them, or they would be poisoned.
“One day we were resting after a fierce battle, it was raining and everyone was very tired. I started to think about home, about my friends… I just couldn’t take it any more, and I just got up and started to walk away.”
Cleansing ceremony
Nobody followed John, and to his surprise the Ugandan army soldiers who eventually found him did not kill him, but took him to Gusco.
Three years after he was abducted John returned home again: “I went through a traditional cleansing ceremony, and after that my family and neighbors welcomed me home.
“But there were other people who shouted, ‘You killed my mother, you killed my father.’ I tried to tell them that I didn’t want to go, that I was abducted.”
Nobody followed John, and to his surprise the Ugandan army soldiers who eventually found him did not kill him, but took him to Gusco.
Three years after he was abducted John returned home again: “I went through a traditional cleansing ceremony, and after that my family and neighbors welcomed me home.
“But there were other people who shouted, ‘You killed my mother, you killed my father.’ I tried to tell them that I didn’t want to go, that I was abducted.”
Death sentence
John started in a technical school to become a carpenter.
“At first it was hard, the other students would call me nasty names, and it brought back the memories, so I isolated myself. But slowly things got better and I started to get friends.”
But two year later in the middle of the night, John was abducted again.
“I was so scared, because there is only one punishment for running away from the LRA, and that’s the death sentence.”
John started in a technical school to become a carpenter.
“At first it was hard, the other students would call me nasty names, and it brought back the memories, so I isolated myself. But slowly things got better and I started to get friends.”
But two year later in the middle of the night, John was abducted again.
“I was so scared, because there is only one punishment for running away from the LRA, and that’s the death sentence.”
Lucky
The rebels dragged him along - beating him - and discussed how best to kill him.
But John was lucky. An LRA superior decided to keep him alive, because he was well educated and an experienced soldier.
“I could only think about running away again. But now they didn’t trust me and they watched me all the time.”
A few months later he was lucky again. During a battle he was shot in the hip. The rebels left him behind. Now he is back at Gusco again, with the leg in plaster.
The rebels dragged him along - beating him - and discussed how best to kill him.
But John was lucky. An LRA superior decided to keep him alive, because he was well educated and an experienced soldier.
“I could only think about running away again. But now they didn’t trust me and they watched me all the time.”
A few months later he was lucky again. During a battle he was shot in the hip. The rebels left him behind. Now he is back at Gusco again, with the leg in plaster.
Protection“I think a lot about what happened to me, but the memories become less and less every day, and I still hope that one day I will forget about it.
“I am looking forward to going home and start school again, but I don’t think I will ever walk properly again.”
John says he feels safe at Gusco, which was started by local people and is supported by Save the Children.
“We are fed well and we are treated well. Every night soldiers come to protect us, in case the LRA come for us.”
Happy to be alive
“I hope the war ends soon,” John says - although he thinks his family will take years to recover as are they are displaced with no livestock.
“I don’t have any big dreams for the future. I just want to finish studying and get a job.”
With one of his few smiles he adds: “I am very happy… I have come back alive.”
John recently returned home, and will be returning to his studies.
“I hope the war ends soon,” John says - although he thinks his family will take years to recover as are they are displaced with no livestock.
“I don’t have any big dreams for the future. I just want to finish studying and get a job.”
With one of his few smiles he adds: “I am very happy… I have come back alive.”
John recently returned home, and will be returning to his studies.
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