Overview

A community in Lamunu, Uganda, is struggling to return to normal after decades of violent conflict that displaced nearly 2 million people. The Lord’s Resistance Army, led by Joseph Kony, abducted 35,000 children and deployed them as soldiers in an attempt to overthrow the government. Now, the children of those child soldiers are growing up in a community deeply scared but working to make a better future. PBS NewsHour special correspondent Fred de Sam Lazaro explores how former child soldiers try to heal from the scars of war and achieve a better life.

Videos

Discussion Questions

What problems can you identify in this story? Are solutions presented?
In what way might this story be relevant in your community?
Anywar says that he uses stories from his past trauma to connect with the children of today. How could remembering and reliving the past help him address today’s challenges, personally and for his larger community?
Jobs are scarce, even for the educated. One symptom of this is that those who are educated usually leave home to pursue economic opportunity elsewhere. How can a place like Kivu retain talent?

Writing Prompt (250 Words)

Why do you think the world’s attention, particularly the news media and donor interest, moves on from distant conflicts so quickly?