Supporting Landmine Victims in Uganda

People living in Lira, in the northern region of Uganda, have been severely affected by landmines and UXOs which were scattered all over the area throughout the civil war that lasted for the past 20 years. Many people were severely injured, and had to have their legs and/or arms amputated.

As we have reported in the last two reports, AAR Japan, in cooperation with ULSA (Uganda Landmine Survivors
Association), has been supporting 30 victims financially by providing start-up kits for those willing to take up a business on their own. These start-up kits are worth about 500 US dollars each, and include items such as commodities for sale in a retail shop or, solar panels to produce the necessary electricity to run a small-scale self-owned business facility.

AAR Japan has also been providing medical support to 15 victims, who need prosthetic limbs or physical rehabilitation in order to move around freely again. Hospitals in Lira were underequipped to provide those services, and were forced to refer victims to hospitals in other regions. AAR Japan decided to financially assist Lira Regional Hospital so that they could purchase the necessary equipment and provide the needed services. The Hospital has begun its new operation and many victims in the region no longer have to travel a long distance to receive treatment.

We will do our best to keep helping people in Uganda. We very much appreciate all your help and donations afforded through GlobalGiving. Thank you for your time.

Links:

• AAR Japan HP - About Uganda
• AAR Japan HP - Activity Reports from Uganda

In Uganda AAR Japan is supporting landmine victims. Many of them have lost part of their body, such as their leg, in landmine accidents. Such persons with disabilities (PWDs) are facing problems earning money to live and AAR Japan tries to lessen these problems by supporting them while they receive limb prosthesis fitting, and by promoting income generating activities (IGA).

 In this report, we would like to introduce Eunice, who has lost her leg due to landmine but survived. First AAR Japan provided her with a start-up package to begin a restaurant business. The package consisted of initial capital, food, and utensils. Today, her restaurant is a favorite eating joint for surrounding schools and casual labourers in the community. From her savings, her 19 year old daughter started a second line of business – a retail merchandise shop, next to the restaurant.  She has also sent her younger sister to a vocational training institute to study a tailoring course and has bought for her a sewing machine. Eunice has lost her leg, but not her spirit to succeed. Though she has never been to school herself, Eunice speaks with passion about educating her siblings and giving them a decent life.

 AAR Japan believes that people, with or without disabilities, have capacity to bring themselves up. Those who received our IGA support so far demonstrated so much passion, dedication, and effort to lead their business to success and earn more income to help their family members and relatives. AAR Japan will do it’s best to keep helping people in Uganda, and we really appreciate all your help and donations through GlobalGiving.

Thank you for reading.