A group of well-wishers from the Netherlands have built a house for the survivor of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebel massacre in Abia Sub County, Alebtong district.
//The Dutch team handing over the house to Akello on Sunday during a brief prayer ceremony, video clip by Bobson Opio//
Mildren Akello, aged 67, a local resident of Abia trading centre, survived the LRA rebel attack on Abia Camp on February 4, 2004, in which some 139 people were massacred.
On this fateful day, a large number of LRA rebels attacked the camp housing thousands of peasants, ordered them to enter their homes, and later set it ablaze.
Like many others, Akello was forced to enter her grass-thatched house with three children and one grandchild before the house was set ablaze. While inside the house, she pushed her children under the bed, but unfortunately, one of them remained outside, and she was severely burned, including her.
Deep down in her village of Kuc Odwogo, Abia parish, Abia sub county, Akello’s hope to regain and achieve in life had largely faded until few months ago when she was identified by the Otuke Harvest Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisation supported by a group of well-wishers from the Netherlands.
The group, after identifying her, swiftly embarked on an individual contribution to build for Akello a moderately permanent two room structure for accommodation.
On October 15th, the two-room house built with funding from the group headed by Gabriele Van Der Kamp at the cost of about Ugx10 million was handed over to Akello and her children.
Gabriele Van Der Kamp, also the Executive Director of the Otuke Harvest Foundation, called for support for the poor.
Struck with endless happiness and disbelief that she could get the house, Akello has remained excited and thankful to the team and God for delivering her most urgent need.
Tony Okot, one of the surviving children of Akello, applauded the Dutch for supporting their family.
According to Okot, the support has immensely restored their family’s joy, hope, and admiration.
Ray Odia, the chairperson of the Abia LRA Massacre Association, said several survivors have remained with no hope.
The Otuke Harvest Foundation has also formed a local saving group, ‘Abwot Imac’, where they are given with revolving fund.
Recently, the same group conducted a week-long medical camp to treat various ailments in the community and over 1500 local residents have benefitted.
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