Abducted at gunpoint and tortured
Geoffrey had already lost both of his parents due to illness and was living with an elderly Aunt, his only surviving relative. His Aunt was crippled and he cared for her as best as he could while attending school.
On the evening of May 29th 2003, then aged 19, Geoffrey was abducted at gun-point from his home on the outskirts of Kitgum by rebel soldiers from the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). Geoffrey was taken miles away from his home into the bush with other abducted children, to a camp where a large numbers of rebels were gathered. They asked him if he was a soldier. “No! I am a student” he pleaded. However, his words were ignored and he was beaten until nearly unconscious. The soldiers told him he would be killed. His legs and arms were then tied with ropes and a log was brought in preparation for his ‘treatment’. His lips, ears and all of his fingers were cut off.
This brutal torture was carried out by another abducted child, ordered to do so by the LRA commander. Failure to carry out this order given by a commander would mean certain death for this child. Geoffrey was left behind (to die) as the rebel group moved on to avoid the pursuing Ugandan Army soldiers. Geoffrey was then found and rescued by the Uganda Peoples Defence Force (UPDF) and taken to Kitgum hospital for treatment for his terrible injuries.
Geoffrey had wanted to become a doctor. And, whilst his physical injuries have been treated and are healing, his emotional needs are still great. He needs our help and support simply to survive in a very tough part of the world.
At Cornerstone Vocational Training Centre Geoffrey and others like him will receive the love and support they so desperately need, together with daily food, clothing and medical care and vocational training to help him get back on his feet and embrace the future with renewed hope.