Lojore’s Story

“I was born in Moroto, an area in northeast Uganda. There was so much fighting here before with rebels. They would fight over the cattle and everyone used guns. My father was shot and killed by rebels in 2012, so it was just my mother, my sister and me left in the family. My mother tried so much to take care of us but it was never enough money. She would sell charcoal and my sister and I worked digging gardens and collecting firewood for some small money.

When my father was alive, we would go to school. But after he died, it was too much and the money was not there. We had to work every day but would often go without food in a day. Somedays, we would go two or three days before having a bite of food. Life was very hard for us and everyone in the village.

Then Peace for Paul came to my village in 2013 and I was so full of hope. My life is so good now. We eat three big meals every day. My school is so nice and fun. I have many clothes and a bed and a very good house. I am so happy for the opportunity of education given to me. I am so happy with my life now and do not want to return to Moroto again.”

Lojore now attends a highly ranked secondary boarding school and has big dreams to become a doctor in the future. She wants to be able to help people like her mother and her sister, who both have fallen sick often. During school holidays, Lojore travels back to Northern Uganda to learn about and be a part of her culture. She stays with her mom and her sister, who is mentally and physically challenged. She has a strong connection with her family and does her best to help her as much as she is able.