Conflict: Bringing hope to people caught in rebel fighting in northern Uganda

Adapt this lesson plan for use in public schools, Christian schools, other private schools, and homeschools, and other groups

1. How is war a disaster?

2. What is the disaster happening in northern Uganda? (Click here for a map [PDF].)

3. What is the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), and what is their mission?

4. How many people have they killed? How many have they kidnapped?

5. Why has the LRA kidnapped children?

6. What is the impact of the LRA's activity in Uganda?

7. What is life like for people in the camps for internally displaced persons?

8. What is the difference between an internally displaced person and a refugee?

A refugee is a person who flees from his or her country to another country to avoid war or persecution.
An internally displaced person (IDP) also flees conflict or persecution but remains within the borders of his or her country.

9. Explore the various facets of the conflict in Uganda (and other conflicts) in the Genocide role-play.

10. REAL. HOPE. How is Medical Teams International helping the people in Uganda? (Our primary involvement is addressing the medical and health needs of the people in Uganda. Our volunteer medical teams work alongside our Ugandan medical staff to treat malnutrition, infections, malaria, HIV and AIDS, diarrhea, and TB—all preventable diseases. These medical interventions save the lives of countless people in the camps.) Learn more about what we are doing in Uganda.

11. Is this disaster preventable? How?

12. Based on what you saw at the REAL. LIFE. Exhibit, what is real life like for children of war? (The effects of the LRA’s atrocities will haunt Uganda for generations to come. Children who have escaped, wake screaming in the night from dreams of pain and death. Many children who escape are orphans, with no homes or families. These children are deeply traumatized by what they have seen and were forced to do. With no schooling or job skills, they are often drawn to lives of crime and violence. Some former child soldiers find safety at rehabilitation centers where they receive medical care, counseling, education, love—and hope.)

13. In what other countries are children forced to be soldiers?

RELATED LESSON PLANS

14. Take action against genocide with this lesson plan.

15. Explore a genocide role-play.

READ STORIES

16. Read accounts of the lives of some of the captured children in Aboke Girls by Els De Temmerman and Girl Soldier: A Story of Hope for Northern Uganda’s Children by Faith J. H. McDonnell and Grace Akallo. NOTE: Although these books tell heroic stories, they also describe some traumatic events in the lives of the abducted children. These books are best suited for more mature students.

17. Read an interview with Grace Akallo as she discusses what life was like for her when she was abducted by the LRA.

THOUGHTS FROM THE BIBLE

21. What do the following Bible passages say about our role on behalf of people who are oppressed?

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those who are perishing.”—Proverbs 31:8
“Speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.” —Proverbs 31:9
“The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.” —Psalm 9:9
“Uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute. Rescue the poor and helpless; deliver them from the grasp of evil people.”—Psalm 82:3-4
“The Lord . . . upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free, [he] lifts up those who are bowed down, . . . The Lord watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow.” —Psalm 146:7-9
[Jesus said,] “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”—Luke 4:18-19

THINK ABOUT IT

1. How can you make a difference by giving, acting, praying, or volunteering?

2. If you had $100, how would you use it to help people?

3. You can advocate for the people of Uganda, especially the children who are abducted. Click here for advocacy suggestions.

4. You can pray for people who are victims of conflict. Use this prayer guide »