 There are 70 VOH orphans who make the beads in one IDP (refugee camp). Most of them were abducted by the LRA (Lord’s Resistance Army) at one time or another in their short lives. Most of them have seen their parents murdered. And most of them have no one to take care of them or tuck them in bed at night. They are rejected by the community because they were once with the Rebel group. They are out casts.
These children gather together each night after school. They spend time singing and dancing the traditional Acholi Dances. This brings community and a sense of family for them. Then they sit on a tarp under a mango tree and make beads. This is a very social time for them. They enjoy spending time with their friends.
Shortly after they began making the beads and received their first “salary”. The group all decided to build an outdoor pavilion in their refugee camp. The staff of Village of Hope wondered why they would not choose something like food or clothes to buy. But were told, this is the first time they have EVER thought about the future. For years they lived for today, what will I eat today. But now because of this project, they can dream about their future!
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