Northern Uganda, Lira District:

Scene of a brutal Massacre of over 400 citizens and Abductions of Many More 

Missions with Africa (MwA) is working alongside the Barlonyo project of Christian Communication Centre(CCC). When MwA President, Lenta Hall, was lead to work in Northern Uganda, she and her team desired to find an area that was not receiving much assistance rather than work where others had gone before. Rev. Lawnsome Etum-Akezi, the director of CCC, was asked to locate such a place. He and his team chose Barlonyo, the location of a terrible massacre by the LRA which left the community devastated, over 400 people killed, many abducted, and the homes all burned. Citizens were left scarred mentally, emotionally, and physically. From this choice a plan has been adopted and initiated.

The program is called, "Barlonyo Child Care Program", established with the goal of developing the many orphaned and disadvantaged children to be Godly contributors to their community. It is the desire of MwA/CCC to see these children raised up and educated within their own community and home areas so that, as they mature into adults, they can become leaders, providing stability and guidance in their own culture and encouraging a good future for their people.

Children playing on the Monument

The Child Care Program will be implemented in "Toto Village"  (the name given by one of the oldest ladies in Barlonyo), a home-style village for children that will bless many generations to come. Toto Village is to have twelve units, each having six cottages housing twelve children and having one African mother.  In addition, there will be four residence halls which provide housing accommodations for our children as they enter secondary school. ("Toto" means mother in local language).

The mothers and residence-hall parents will receive training on child development and Christian principles in order to provide a loving home and family atmosphere for each child. The "family" will eat, go to church, play, and work together. Activities will be gardening, community helps, and interactive sports.

When the children are ready for junior secondary school they will move to a residence hall at the Toto Village. A married couple who will perform as the mother and father for the children at this time. This will provide a fatherly figure for our children.

A health unit is planned which will act as a drop-in centre to provide health services to the children at the village, the community in and around Barlonyo, and especially catering mothers and mothers-to-be.  

Young mothers with needy children.

A Chapel and Community Center with the name “The King of Glory Chapel” will be provided for the village children and community to receive moral, spiritual, social and emotional help under the leadership of a Chaplain. This center will also be used for adult education and vocational training.

A pre school and primary school, with kitchen and dining facilities, will be established within the village, so that our children can access basic and alternative education with well trained Christian teachers to enable them grow up into whole person.

“Touch a Child………………… Touch the Community”

 “Develop a Child………………. Preserve the Future of a Nation”

“Develop a Family………………Develop a Community”

“Grow the Poor…………………. Grow the Community