Some are denied food and proper shelter. Some girls have been assaulted during seizures, leading to unwanted preg- nancies and the risk of sexually transmitted infections. Additionally, children like Bernard, Paul and their young care providers are denied the right to education. LWF workers help families improve nutrition for children with the syndrome, other vulnerable household members and their communities. Last year, LWF-Uganda provided assistance to 1,484 households and 2,005 chil- dren affected by nodding syndrome. It hopes to increase that support this year.


Recovering from war’s impact Most children affected by the syndrome were born and grew up in camps for people who were internally dis- placed during the civil war (1986 to 2006 ) between the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and the Ugandan govern-


ment. Tens of thousands of civilians died in that conflict. One mother, who wished to remain anonymous, spoke for many residents of Acholi province who returned home after the 2006 and 2008 peace talks: “It is as if a second war has hit our land. Most of the children we bore from the camps, those who escaped being abducted by [LRA leader Joseph Kony], have been swept away from our hands by this mysterious illness.” She herself lost a child to the ailment.


“It is important to understand the difficult conditions endured by the affected children and their families,” Kam- stra said. “[Many] have barely recovered from the impact of two decades of civil war. Interventions such as the inex- pensive lorena cooking stoves, increasing access to safe drinking water, and improved nutrition go a long way in providing some relief to families [who] are struggling to make a living.” 


Editor’s note: Last names and village names have been withheld to protect the children’s privacy.


July 2013 35


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