Personal Stories

Richard, Uganda

When Richard’s whole world was torn apart by war, he lost his home and the chance to go to school. Now, thanks to a Comic Relief-funded project, he’s rebuilding his life and getting a vital education to improve his future.

Richard has grown up in Northern Uganda, an area blighted by war after a rebel group called the Lord’s Resistance Army attacked, murdered and kidnapped many villagers in their attempt to take control of the country.

During 20 years of conflict, more than a million people had to flee their homes and an estimated 30,000 children were abducted by the rebels. As a result, Richard’s family moved to a special camp in the hope that they would be safe but life was still dangerous there.

As Richard says, “It was never safe. We were far from our field so we couldn’t grow food and, although there was a school nearby, it was not safe to go there so we didn’t get an education.”

Eventually the LRA agreed to a ceasefire in 2006 and Richard and his father returned to their village where they began the difficult task of rebuilding their lives.

The war has left many families, like Richard’s, incredibly poor. Many loved ones died and homes, farms and businesses were destroyed. This has meant little or no regular sources of income for parents.

Thanks to War Child, a project funded by Comic Relief, Richard’s dad doesn’t have to worry about buying him the things he needs to get an education. The project has given Richard books, pens and the school uniform he needs to go to school and make his future better.

By getting an education, he has the chance to get a good job so he can help to support his family in the years to come.