Brick by Brick
Omona Innocent has a personal story that sounds all too common in Northern Uganda, a region of Africa ravaged until recently by civil war. At three years old, he lost his father to HIV/AIDS. Although the root cause of a persistent AIDS epidemic was sexual violence that conflict brought, his uncles blamed his mother for bewitching her husband. They chased her away. That compelled the young Mr. Omona to live with his eldest brother’s family where, as an AIDS orphan, he was an unwelcome guest. There was little in the way of material support, much less the love that children need. At the age of 13, he was pushed out to sort for his own life.
Instead of surrendering to a merciless fate, through agriculture and brick-laying a resilient Mr. Omona supported himself and obtained an education. He stayed in school and eventually matriculated at Gulu University, where he prepared to become a teacher.
Teaching degree in hand, plans changed. Seeing many children undergoing familiar challenges, a passion for social change and inspiration from a friend prodded him to act. “I needed to wake up and do something for these children,” he says.
He launched Lighta, an NGO in northern Uganda’s Nwoya District that assists young AIDS victims. A long list of beneficiaries includes Opiyo Boniface; age 12, who lost both of his parents. An uncle who took him in was sent to prison. Other relatives abandoned Opiyo. He left school, moved into a shelter and became child laborer. Onekalit Charles, age 13, also lost both parents. He went to live with a stepmother who mistreated him, hired him out, and used his income to feed the entire family. Arach Stella, at 15 years old, lost her father and started caring for an ill mother, two sisters and four brothers. Thanks to Lighta, all three and many more children are progressing toward productive and purposeful lives.
Lighta gets its name from the local spelling of the word “lighter” and signifies bringing light to a dark space. The mission empowers children and youth through four main projects, according to the website:
1. Peer to peer support. It feels good to share your problems with people who have overcome the same challenges. Peers are good mentors. Through peer camps and workshops we come together and discuss sensitive issues that affect our personal lives, like dealing with exclusion and living with HIV/AIDS
2. Social entrepreneurships skills training. Most of us don’t have access to basic education and many are not employed. To improve our livelihood, Lighta teaches basic skills in entrepreneurship such as running a small business that can create jobs that furnish incomes.
3. Organic agricultural skills training. Eighty percent of the rural population depends on agriculture. Uganda is the pearl of Africa, blessed with fertile land and good climate. Sustainability requires techniques that promote eco-friendly agriculture. We train school dropouts starting at age 18 in organic agriculture so that their basic skills can earn a living.
4. Youth cooperative. AIDS orphans don't have family to fall back on. We can only survive if we demonstrate solidarity, so we come together and share resources to kick start our businesses like farm, shops or restaurants. Imagine small restaurants known for quality food and serving a long line every day, this can help to overcome prejudices against HIV/AIDs orphan.
Success at Lighta begins when confidence and self-esteem replace the oppressive stigma of AIDS. With the right care, a positive attitude and purpose, someone who has AIDS can live a full life, says Mr. Omona. “We keep telling them that success is a mindset,” he says. “If they build courage their lives can have value.”
