Conditions In Northern Uganda, 2005 — Continued Page 2
The northern Uganda conflict forced 1.5 million internally displaced persons (IDP) to live in refugee camps in Gulu and the surrounding areas. The crimes against children at that time were the worst I had ever read about, and even now, just thinking about the photos brings tears to my eyes. Tens of thousands of children were abducted and forced to be either murdering soldiers or sex slaves to the commanders of one of the most brutal rebel armies ever known, the un-godly Lord's Resistance Army (LRA). I had reviewed many photos, video clips and read everything written by missionaries and NGO's in the region, but this one hyperlink, this click of the mouse changed my life.

The Jesuits visit to Gulu and the surrounding areas during the summer of 2005 revealed conditions in the IDP camps, the counseling centers for abductees, and the safe havens that sheltered children who traveled as much as seven miles each evening in order to avoid being abducted by the LRA (known as night commuters).

The story told through words and photos by Fr. Don Doll, an award-winning photographer, portrayed something far more important than simply desperation. As I turned each page, I reached beyond that feeling I usually get of overwhelming sadness for these people — beyond the tragedy — to a great sense of hope that made me want to roll up my shirtsleeves and go to work.

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