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GULU - VILLAGE OF HOPE

The toll of this holocaust stands at an estimate of over 50,000 children abducted, more than 30,000 children killed and 1.6 million displaced and living in IDP camps. During these massacres the LRA rebels steal children, as young as 5, and force them to become child soldiers or a wife to a soldier. Our coalition stands to help bring hope and safe harbour to many of these victims of northern Uganda.       

Our intervention for these traumatized widows and orphans of the region is through a two pronged approach: the Homes of Love as well as the Village of Hope (mother child/huts).  The programs are overseen by Jerry and Candis Bingham who moved to the region in July 2003.   

Gulu Training Centre for Child Mothers

HOMES OF LOVE    Homes of Love is a ministry located inside the municipality of Gulu on 3.5 acres of land.  There are presently two homes on the property: House of Love and House of Joy.  These homes offer the children a safe and supportive environment in which to live. The majority of the children are double orphans, although some children may still have one parent living.  Children that are brought into the Homes of Love receive three meals a day, clothing, education, medical attention, and a good bed to sleep on in a loving and supportive home.  Presently, each home, or family, has approximately 20 children.  A house matron lives with the children and has the aid of an assistant and two helpers who live in nearby huts. The on-site staff become like the children’s mothers, uncles and aunts who minister to and mentor the children’s needs.  All the children benefit from attending an on-site school whose teacher also lives on-site and is able to tutor those that need extra help.  In addition, Homes of Love has an arts director who introduces the children to art, music, and drama.       

VILLAGE OF HOPE – ‘CHILD/MOTHER’ HUTS:

Village of Hope is located inside the municipality of Gulu and is separate from the Homes of Love property.  There are presently six homes on the property which will house women and children who have suffered under the LRA attacks.  These homes will offer mothers and their children a safe and supportive environment in which to live.  As many of these women are ill from HIV/AIDS, each family that is provided a home is also given a bicycle to help them with travel.        

Phase I of the Village of Hope will have 80 homes. The 10-acre property is being fenced and will have government soldiers as security guards.      

The families that reside at Village of Hope will benefit from an on-site school and medical clinic.  In addition, Village of Hope endeavors to help give the women back a sense of their dignity and self respect through education and work projects.  To do this we have set up projects such as the craft skills program and the farm project.  These projects will help the mother’s to take a ‘hand up’ instead of a ‘hand out’.