Coping with the aftermath of the LRA war
17th July 2015
Coping with the aftermath of the LRA war
Interpersonal psycho-therapy for group (ipt-g) restores hope for returnees
Compiled by Odora Samuel
Staff, Omoro Area Recovery Programme
World vision is a Christian based and child focus organization operating in various Districts in Uganda among which Gulu District Omoro Area Recovery programme (ARP) in northern Uganda is one of the intervention areas.
The organization is carrying out a number of interventions in Omro ARP including the Acholi-Nyek Education project and Formerly Abducted Person Reintegration Empowerment Project (FAPREP) which aim at community transformation as per Millenniums Development Goal as well as addressing child wellbeing outcome of World Vision Uganda.
FAPREP is currently being implemented in Lalogi, Lakwana and Odek sub-counties Omoro ARP with the objective to improve the wellbeing of vulnerable families including the households o f FAPs and children born in captivity in the project area.
From 2013 to date 13 children and 26 adult in Lakwana sub-county passed away due to suicide with poison (Ficam 80% WP), ropes and drown in water due to high level of depression beyond their control cause by the following problems area: death (Grief), disagreement with those who are important in their lives (disputes), life changes (role transitions) and loneliness/social isolation (interpersonal deficits’), chronic /poor health conditions worsened by the 21 year war in Northern Uganda.
As a result many of the following psycho social problems are being manifested; suicidal tendency, high school dropout, poor performance, and low concentration among school going children, domestic violence, high rate of drinking alcohol and children heading families as parents divorced among others in the affected communities. .
.
The above psychosocial problems calls for psycho social support and IPT-G is being used as one of the treatment tools among the various mental health ill treatment by mental health practitioners. In this financial year pre-assessment was done to find out those who might be in need of PSS. 189 pupils (m, f) in Lakwana primary school Lakwana sub-county Omoro out of that 133 (68 boys and 68 girls) according to data capturing and analyses were found so depressed and the clients were enrolled for group therapy after getting their concern during pre-group session
Within these few months, IPT-G has yield fruit and Akello Susan 15 years old in primary six is a living testimony. She is a daughter to Atine Rafile Fathers of 42 years and Akello Joyce Mother of 40 years who has already plan to commit suicide with poison (Ficam 80% WP) reveal her plan to the IPT-G community volunteer counselor Mr. Ojera Stephen while they were for the first Pre-group session (Labworomor village, Parak parish Lakwana sub-county) Susan problems area were disagreement and life change between her parents (Father and the Mother) i.e. power struggle among her parent, regular separation and also between her and her Mother reason being insult and abuse on her from her mother when time comes on distribution of basic items among the children Susan was not treated equally as other children even if she is entitle for that other thing Susan was been transfer by her parent from best performing private school (Opit Modern primary school) to low performing government school (Lakwana Primary school) and her sister was shifted from Lakwana Primary school to Opit modern primary school this life change made her loss hope in life and she has seen that life is useless the best way is to committee suicide and leave the world for her parents.
In picture 01 World Vision staff conducting family counseling to prepared the mindset of the members towards unexpected event for the child to pick the poison (Ficam 80% WP) which was use to spray mosquitoes (Indoor residual spraying) she had already hidden to use for committing suicide in three days to come from her father’s house and present it to the family members and the community around.
In picture 02 Susan is handing over Poison (Ficam 80% WP) which is use for indoor residual spraying to World Vision staff before the her parent, community members and local leader Rwot-Kweri on the 07th July 2015 at 5:00pm
In picture 03 Susan was swearing before her parent and the community members that (Nywako tam olaro kwo ma mega pe dong abibedo ki lakodi tam ma calo man pi kwon a kulu) IPT-G has save her life i will not and never has such plan of committing suicide again for the rest of my life.The mother said (Atamo ni latina kome lit atero wa iot yat pien cam maber peke maro koko, bedo kene-kene ento yat pe ocango two Nywako kare pire tek totwal man kono arwenyo latina woko alego rwot lacwec me mede ki miyo konyo me nywako tam wek olar kwo pa dano ma dwong) Ithough my daugather was sick, I took her to hospital for treatment but after she took all the medicine no improvement and I was seeing sings of depression I learn now depression has no medicine and IPT-G has help me otherwise I would have lost my son. My God bless World Vision to continue and extent their service to the rest of other part of the sub-county.