Child Soldiers

Kasper Agger and I founded the Grassroots Reconciliation Group in 2007, with the aim of reconciling and rehabilitating former child soldiers in war-torn northern Uganda back into their communities. In the 15 years since then, GRG has helped over 2,600 former child soldiers and communities rebuild their lives through livelihood, trauma counseling, microfinance, and other projects. In 2018 we won the United Nations Intercultural Innovation Award. Learn more at www.grassrootsgroup.org or watch this short film directed by Paul Freedman.

Man peering in hut window during Grassroots Reconciliation Group meeting, Gulu District, northern Uganda

Man peering in hut window during Grassroots Reconciliation Group meeting, Gulu District, northern Uganda

Boy sitting on half constructed hut wall, Gulu District, Northern Uganda

Boy sitting on half constructed hut wall, Gulu District, Northern Uganda

Francis, a former child soldier turned community leader, opened his own furniture workshop with the support of Grassroots Reconciliation Group, Anaka, northern Uganda

Francis, a former child soldier turned community leader, opened his own furniture workshop with the support of Grassroots Reconciliation Group, Anaka, northern Uganda

Stella, center, forced to be the wife of a rebel commander for 8 years, now has her own dressmaking shop. Gulu District, northern Uganda

Stella, center, forced to be the wife of a rebel commander for 8 years, now has her own dressmaking shop. Gulu District, northern Uganda

Kasper and Sasha during one of GRG's founding trips, northern Uganda

Kasper and Sasha during one of GRG's founding trips, northern Uganda

Children playing in a former internally displaced persons camp, northern Uganda

Children playing in a former internally displaced persons camp, northern Uganda

The view from inside Joseph Kony's school, Odek, northern Uganda

The view from inside Joseph Kony's school, Odek, northern Uganda

Church with bullet holes from the LRA conflict, northern Uganda

Church with bullet holes from the LRA conflict, northern Uganda

Children sitting outside a hut, northern Uganda

Children sitting outside a hut, northern Uganda

GRG women telling their stories in a darkened hut, northern Uganda

GRG women telling their stories in a darkened hut, northern Uganda

Sasha and then-Program Director Francis Opio listening to the stories a Grassroots Reconciliation Group woman participant, northern Uganda

Sasha and then-Program Director Francis Opio listening to the stories a Grassroots Reconciliation Group woman participant, northern Uganda

Former child soldiers at sunset, Olwal, northern Uganda

Former child soldiers at sunset, Olwal, northern Uganda

Jacob, a former child soldier turned community leader, has a powerful story. Learn more in this short film by Emmy winning director Paul Freedman

Jacob, a former child soldier turned community leader, has a powerful story. Learn more in this short film by Emmy winning director Paul Freedman

Jacob, a former child soldier turned community leader, has a powerful story. Learn more in this short film by Emmy winning director Paul Freedman

Jacob, a former child soldier turned community leader, has a powerful story. Learn more in this short film by Emmy winning director Paul Freedman

John, a former child soldier, is a GRG participant in microfinance. Palaro, northern Uganda

John, a former child soldier, is a GRG participant in microfinance. Palaro, northern Uganda

Robert, a former child soldier abducted by the LRA, emcees a community theater performance in Lamwo, northern Uganda. Community theater has helped trauma recovery among former child soldiers and community members

Robert, a former child soldier abducted by the LRA, emcees a community theater performance in Lamwo, northern Uganda. Community theater has helped trauma recovery among former child soldiers and community members

Community theater performance in Lamwo, northern Uganda.

Community theater performance in Lamwo, northern Uganda.

Janet's family was all killed by the LRA, but she is now rebuilding her life thanks to GRG entrepreneurship projects

Janet's family was all killed by the LRA, but she is now rebuilding her life thanks to GRG entrepreneurship projects