How are high school youth in Northern Uganda coping emotionally and psychologically with their ordeals following a brutal twenty-one year war in which the majority of youth were forced into child soldiering or sex slavery, were abducted, displaced to squalid camps, traumatized by loss, witnessed atrocities or are otherwise severely affected by conflict? Following two years of planning and preparation, UMECS has collaborated with three partnered schools in Northern Uganda: Y Y Okot Memorial College, an all girls secondary school in Kitgum District, Kitgum Alliance College and Lira Palwo Senior Secondary School in Pader District to pilot School-Based Counseling and Guidance in Northern Uganda.

“Tens of thousands of children and youth were traumatized by their experiences in this war and their psychosocial needs must be addressed. At schools, the needs of teachers as well as students must also be addressed” says UMECS staff member Joel Ojok who heads UMECS School-Based Counseling and Guidance Program.

The Executive Summary and Report which contains data, analysis and recommendations may be downloaded here as a resource to schools and communities in conflict and post-conflict regions that may be considering implementing similar programs

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