ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION

Environmental Dergadation

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In as much as it is true to say that life in the camp caused a lot of problems to the people, the environment didn't escape the wrath of the displacement of the people either. Trees were first in the line up. As people came to the camps they used trees for putting up structrures for shelter. Where trees once existed was cleared to give room for construction of huts. Then the question of wood for fuel came in. Our country being a third world country still relies on organic resources for energy. So as time went on, trees near the camps were depleted. The need for charcoal later came in . This gave rise to indisciminate cutting of trees outside the camps. 

most of the trees in or near the camps were destroyed

Trees at the river banks suffered the most. Felling of these trees could be the most likely cause of the drying up of many water sources.


The soil also suffered. As trees were wiped out the soil automatically lacked cover so became vulnerable to agents of soil erosion.

The soil also suffered as people threw away used polythene bags. Since these bags do not decompose, they have become real litter to the soil. More so they also intefere with drainage,growth of roots of plants etc.

Although the government of Uganda has put in place some laws regarding the use of these polythene bags nobody seems to pay any heed neither has anyone been punished for it.

It will take sometime and effort in order to recover the value of the land in and around places that the camps have occupied.

ORPHANS

Orphans- who will care for them?

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The war in northern Uganda created so many untold suffering to the people in the north and north-east of the country. One of the most serious effects of this war is the loss of men and women who had children to bring up Many people were either killed by the waring factions or died of the dreaded AIDS disease. The result of result of these two, has given rise to : child headed families and orphans without substantial persons to look after them.

A good many of us wonder how these children will fend for themselves once they are out of the camps where there was at least relief supplies. One may wonder whether there were no orphans in the north before the war. True we had some orphans but of a manageable number. 

jennet lost her father to the war and mother to AIDS

Some NGO's have been endevouring to help these needy children but how long they will continue is not known. What these orphans need are:

1. food
2. shelter
3. educational needs
4. psycho-social support and
5. clothing

It our hope that the local leaders and elders will help these children to settle in the land once owned by their parents. If they don't, then these children will have nowhere to go to.

Drawing Nearer To God

One of the good things that people acquired from the camp is the commitment to God. Many 
 christians' faith had eroded away and so needed to be drawn to prayer. Unbaptised youths joined the evening classes in preparation for baptism and were baptised. Couples that had long since been joined through traditional marriage came and took "vows" in the house of the creator. What I am writing is not what is past but what is happening even now.



Church attendance on Sundays is amazingly high. The liturgy became more lively with a large performing choir. The liturgical dancers do add to the ornament of the service. During the vacations students--especially those in the scholarship program--take turns in reading the word of God. All is beautiful.

I can not leave mention of the Lay Apostles who endevoured to see that the moral fibre of the people didn't degenerate completely. Their efforts to conduct prayers of the rosary were commendable.

Our catechists at Pagak didn't leave their flock unattended to.They kept with us at all these trying times. May the Good Lord reward them abundantly.

What will happen as the people go home is yet unpredictable. The church will be some distance away; the catechists will not be at arms-reach. But all the same WITH GOD NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE.

Thank you
JOKONDINO

Going Home

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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.

SUBSISTENCE FARMING

Many people in northern Uganda are involved in many economic activities like crop farming, animal husbandry small and big retail in trade in a variety of goods. Of the many challenges that face our business people is lack of specialisation. This is far more serious in the rural communities. A peasant overloads himself with various of small entities that at the end do not allow him make much progress. A farmer like this one

besides keeping cattle also does some other activities for a living. This keeps the farmer unskilled throughout his life. As this 38-year-old gentleman does have his full attention on the animals, the  output he gets is minimal--- just for survival and not thriving. Supposing a farmer like this were mentored, he would realize that he would need to do the followings:

1. check on the genetics and breed of his animals
2. decide whether to keep the animals for beef or milk
3. endeavour to maintain high quality by maintaining good health, good feeding and housing
4. get advise and help from a veterinary worker

 But because of lack of valuable and relevant information on animal husbandry the guy's income is very low-- there is no sense of business in it-- it's just subsistence farming.He is handicapped by:

• inadequate capital
• lack of skilled labour force-- he works alone or is helped by his family members
• poor storage facilities for the milk produce
• poor marketing-- he rarely has enough milk to sell and slaughters his animals only when he is in a financial crisis.

He is so limited that he can not move from this

to this

Instead of good modern breeds of beef cattle

he still has low yield traditional African  Zebu bull

Forbidden Love 2

What Next After The War?

Please take a look at this.