YAI begins support for former child soldiers in Uganda
Jinja, Uganda – On Wednesday April 30, 2008 Jinja District officials handed over goods donated by Youth Action International to the transit center in Jinja. Youth Action International (YAI) provided beds, mattresses, and blankets to cater for the basic needs of the children at the transit centre. This is the only transit centre in the district that caters for abandoned children who originate from different parts of Uganda including Karamoja, Soroti, Mbale, and Gulu. Speaking at the handover ceremony Ms. Agnes Amooti Namiyingo, YAI’s Country Representative noted that YAI chose to work with Jinja transit centre because it was giving hope to children who would otherwise not have anyone to care for them and possibly spend the rest of their lives on the streets. James, one of the children at the centre said that “he never thought he would sleep on a bed nor have a blanket to cover himself.”
The transit centre is run by YAI’s implementing partner, The African Network for Prevention and Protection Against Child Abuse and Neglect (ANPPCAN) Jinja. The centre was initiated by Germany youth who were visiting Uganda in 2003. ANPPCAN not only gives these children emotional and physical support, but helps them identify their relatives and facilitates the process of reuniting them with their relatives. Since 2003, the transit centre has successfully rehabilitated and reunited 300 children with their families. ANPPCAN Jinja’s Programme Manager, Mr. Jimmy Obbo said, “we need a holistic approach to reintegrate and retain children in families and we need to make these families sustainable”. Mr. Obbo was speaking during the handover ceremony were he encouraged other stakeholders to come on board and help them provide these children with a comprehensive package. Youth Action International’s Regional Director for East Africa, Ms. Memory Bandera challenged the children at the transit centre “not to be discouraged by your circumstances but take this as a second chance at life and use it to unleash your greatness.” She added that young people need to be engaged in productive work so that they do not engage themselves in risky behaviours. Youth Action International (YAI) is an American based organisation that was established by Kimmie Weeks to develop and implement programs that alleviate the suffering of children affected by war and those living in dire circumstances and empower them to reach their full potential. The organisation is comprised of a growing network of young people, primarily volunteers who utilize grassroots techniques to support war-affected communities to improve the lives of children. Their programs are strategically developed to break the cycles of violence and poverty.