"Setting Captives Free "

Former Child Soldier finds wholeness and Peace

Name: David Ongaya, age 27
Group: Former Child Soldier/Returnee
Interviewer: Terry Chemij, Peace-Building Coordinator, EICanada

David and Terry

The Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) abducted me when I was 17 years old. Three years later I was free after having left the bush. At that time I was sent to the Caritas Reception Centre for formerly abducted children. Afterward I tried to find my parents, but I found that both my father and my mother had been killed in 1997.

My first experience with Emmanuel International was in 2006 through Rev. Kenneth who is the the Program Director in the Pader District, Northern Uganda. Rev. Kenneth had been advocating for returnees in the community and in the church. One of the ways that he helped me and others like me was to encourage us to form a support group, for which I was elected chairperson. I have been serving as the chairperson since 2006.

Emmanuel helped me by providing the much needed counseling that they provided and by taking care of my day-to-day physical needs. I was given practical things like clothing and shoes and I received a Christmas shoebox through Emmanuel's partnership with Samaritan's Purse and their "Operation Christmas Child" Program. I also received a goat from Emmanuel in order help me get on my feet and make a living. Sometime later when Emmanuel advertised a position to be a counselor in my community I applied and was accepted for the position.

I want to thank Emmanuel International for what they have done in my life. With the goat I will be able to help a younger returnee to go to school. You see, I was abducted when I was in Senior 2 and so did not receive a full education as I would have liked. Because of this I know how important education is and do not want any child to miss out on the opportunity of attending school.

David's Message to Us:

I would like to encourage Canadians to continue supporting the group of former child soldiers. What Emmanuel International Canada has provided has been very helpful but there are still many more needs.

My dream is to someday be able to go back to school. However, even if that is not possible I would like to help multiply the support system of Emmanuel in Uganda in order to help many others just like me.

I know that God is with me and working through Emmanuel, and that the gifts given to support the life changing work of Emmanuel are effective in encouraging people just like me who simply need someone who cares. My life would not have been as it is today had it not been for the Emmanuel International counseling centre. I praise God for their presence in my country.

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Terry Chemij, Peace-Building Coordinator with EICanada serving in Uganda, had the opportunity to ask a number of individuals who were happy to share a little bit about their past experiences, how they found out about Emmanuel International and how they have been impacted by its ministry.

The story to the left is one such interview and we are sure that it will touch your heart.

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