For
decades, the lands and people of Northern Uganda have been
devastated by war. In a 2004 visit to the region, Mr. Sigurd
Illing, Head of the EU Commission’s Delegation to Northern
Uganda characterized the conflict as “the
worst humanitarian disaster in Africa.”
Over
the years, thousands of children have been
orphaned, injured, or forced into becoming child soldiers.
Many have spent their entire lives in camps and suffer daily
threats and violence. At night, these young "night commuters"
can be seen streaming through the roads in search of safety.
Uganda's
wildlife has suffered a similar calamity. The 
Elephant,
a totem of the Acoli people, now also lives the life of a
refugee. Like the Ugandan children, young elephants and other
orphaned wildlife fell the violence, roaming the country in
search of food with no elders or remaining to protect and
mentor them.
In response
to this crisis of humans and animals, PIACE has established
projects
in three areas:
Community
Care Centre Development
Orphaned children
will live at the Community Care Centre 
and
go to nearby schools. The Centre will provide a peaceful home
and security and the opportunity to learn about their culture
and land. While many children flourish with just love and
care, others will need particular attention because of the
trauma they have endured. Trained medical and traditional
care staff and other elders will evaluate regularly and support
the children’s mental, emotional, and physical recovery.
Once the children are considered ready, PIACE will organize
foster homes
and boarding schools for the children.
The
Community Care Centre will be for a time located at 
"Custom
Corner", in the municipality of Gulu. The property encompasses
7 acres and is owned by the Abe Family and constitutes the
only remaining wooded land in the Gulu municipality. Several
serviceable buildings (i.e., their foundations are architecturally
strong and are habitable) stand on the property but will require
repair and work to create the Community Care Centre and accommodate
the orphan needs. There is a nearby medical hospital. Some
new structures will be needed to provide additional work and
accommodation space. Custom Corner is secluded and secure
but accessible. The Wildlife Field Care Centre is located
22 km away at Tim Opok. This land is also owned by the Abe
Family and has been mostly used for agriculture.
Education
and Culture Programmes
Educational
programmes include teaching and archiving the stories, music,
dances, food, and traditional knowledge and the creation of
a library resource centre for future generations. Community
elders help teach and mentor the children. Programmes also
will include HIV health education, psychological and medical
care for trauma recovery, elder support, and cultural and
local ecological education.
Wildlife
Field Care Centre Development
The Wildlife
Field Care Centre will attend to orphaned and
injured elephants and other wildlife. The children may also
participate in the care of orphaned and injured wildlife.
