How Healing Voices Began
Healing Voices was born from the deep wounds left by decades of war in Northern Uganda—a conflict that tore families apart, silenced survivors, and left invisible scars on countless lives, especially among the youth.
For years, communities in the Acholi sub-region endured abductions, violence, displacement, and trauma during the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) insurgency. While the guns may have gone silent, the pain lived on in the minds and hearts of survivors—many of whom never had a chance to speak about what they went through.
Testimonies from survivors of the LRA war in Northern Uganda
I was taken when I was 14. I spent six years in the bush. I was forced to be a wife to a commander and had three children while in captivity. When I escaped, I came back with nothing. My family welcomed me, but the community called me ‘rebel wife.’ I lived in shame for many years. It was through a support group that I started to heal.”
The rebels attacked our village at night. My mother and father were killed. I was 12. I ran to the bush and hid for two days. I was later taken to a camp, but life was hard. No food, no school. I still dream of that night. But now, I speak to other orphans and tell them not to give up. We are still here.
I gave birth when I was just 15. The father was a rebel commander. When I came back, my family was ashamed of me. I had no school, no skills, nothing. But I joined a healing circle, and for the first time, I could cry and not feel judged. That’s when my healing started
I didn’t speak for years about what I saw. Silence was my prison. But once I shared my story in a youth healing forum, others came to me and said: ‘Me too.’ That’s when I realized I wasn’t alone. Now I use my voice to help others break their silence.
Negative effects of LRA war in northern uganda to young youth who’s parent were killed
Psychological Trauma
Many youth suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and nightmares.
Lack of mental health services in the region has made it difficult for many to receive the care they need
Some children were taken in by extended family who mistreated or neglected them
THE NEGATIVE EFFECT OF LRA WAR IN NORTHERN UGANDA TO BOTH THE YOUTH AND PROPERTIES
Lost Education
War disrupted schooling for years, with many schools destroyed or used as camps.
Some youth missed entire stages of education and struggle to reintegrate into learning environments today.
Many had to drop out of school due to lack of parental support.
END OF MONTH LIVE COUNSELLING
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