Going Home
Acholi people are on an exodus. This exodus though is unlike the biblical one in that this is being done at one's own pace. What do I mean by this? I mean after 12 years living in the camps, our people are now able to return to their ancestral homeland and resettle there.
Although the idea of going home is sweet, there are many challenges that the returnees face. Infrastructures like accessible roads, health centres are unavailable. Issues of safe water, and sanitation in general need to be addressed. The young school children will find it difficult to come to school since they will be further from the once nearby school.
Because of encampment, many people's farming declined. Youths and able men resorted to making charcoal for fuel. Some cut down trees for fire-wood. These they sold to the camp dwellers. This earned them some bread but caused mass destruction to the environment. The returnees will therefore face problems of wood-fuel shortage,bulding materials etc.
It is not surprising that these people will survive because "where there is a will there is always a way."
Going back home has its advantages too. Nearness to land for cultivation is one advantage. It is the people hope that the long abadoned land will be more productive and as such increased production will be realised. People also think that cultural values and activities will be restored. The growing up children will be able to learn the ways of the Acholi.
Immorality was not common in this land. It is our hope too that as people settle in their homes, good practices in line with our culture will help restore the moral fibre of the people.
There are numerous other advantages but all in all the people have to go because HOME IS HOME ALTHOUGH IT MAY NOT BE HOMELY.
Acholi people are on an exodus. This exodus though is unlike the biblical one in that this is being done at one's own pace. What do I mean by this? I mean after 12 years living in the camps, our people are now able to return to their ancestral homeland and resettle there.
Although the idea of going home is sweet, there are many challenges that the returnees face. Infrastructures like accessible roads, health centres are unavailable. Issues of safe water, and sanitation in general need to be addressed. The young school children will find it difficult to come to school since they will be further from the once nearby school.
Because of encampment, many people's farming declined. Youths and able men resorted to making charcoal for fuel. Some cut down trees for fire-wood. These they sold to the camp dwellers. This earned them some bread but caused mass destruction to the environment. The returnees will therefore face problems of wood-fuel shortage,bulding materials etc.
It is not surprising that these people will survive because "where there is a will there is always a way."
Going back home has its advantages too. Nearness to land for cultivation is one advantage. It is the people hope that the long abadoned land will be more productive and as such increased production will be realised. People also think that cultural values and activities will be restored. The growing up children will be able to learn the ways of the Acholi.
Immorality was not common in this land. It is our hope too that as people settle in their homes, good practices in line with our culture will help restore the moral fibre of the people.
There are numerous other advantages but all in all the people have to go because HOME IS HOME ALTHOUGH IT MAY NOT BE HOMELY.
Although the idea of going home is sweet, there are many challenges that the returnees face. Infrastructures like accessible roads, health centres are unavailable. Issues of safe water, and sanitation in general need to be addressed. The young school children will find it difficult to come to school since they will be further from the once nearby school.
Because of encampment, many people's farming declined. Youths and able men resorted to making charcoal for fuel. Some cut down trees for fire-wood. These they sold to the camp dwellers. This earned them some bread but caused mass destruction to the environment. The returnees will therefore face problems of wood-fuel shortage,bulding materials etc.
It is not surprising that these people will survive because "where there is a will there is always a way."
Going back home has its advantages too. Nearness to land for cultivation is one advantage. It is the people hope that the long abadoned land will be more productive and as such increased production will be realised. People also think that cultural values and activities will be restored. The growing up children will be able to learn the ways of the Acholi.
Immorality was not common in this land. It is our hope too that as people settle in their homes, good practices in line with our culture will help restore the moral fibre of the people.
There are numerous other advantages but all in all the people have to go because HOME IS HOME ALTHOUGH IT MAY NOT BE HOMELY.
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