My name is Samuel, I am 15 years old. I was 10 years old when we left South Sudan for Uganda.
Our life was difficult because people were fighting and killing others. They never even apologized for it. We were living in fear, that’s why we came here. It took us two days to walk to the Ugandan border. We would sleep in abandoned places or under trees, because if you slept in houses some people would even burn you alive while you were inside. I witnessed the burning down of many houses. Life in the camp was also hard. There was nothing. We had to walk very, very far for water, and there was no food. At times, we would go almost two months without food.
Before I joined the Heroes Journey program through my school, my life was so bad. I was very angry and would fight with others all the time. I enjoyed beating them, and if someone did a bad thing to me, I would knock them down and beat them - even in the head - and I would make sure that they would cry. I became very violent.
But after I joined the program, I learned how to control my emotions. I learned that if someone does me wrong, I can forgive them. That forgiveness helps me to heal. Now, I say sorry, and apologize when I am wrong. I am really changed! My hope is for people to meet me and say, “He is so different! He used to be violent, but he has grown into a good man!”
I dream of becoming a doctor. What I learned in the program has helped me to stay consistent in doing good things, and not fall back in to bad acts. I’ve learned to have courage and be strong - I believe these will help me achieve my dream. When I was growing up, I saw people do bad things to others, but the program taught me to be kind to others. That is a skill which is needed to be a good doctor.
Because of the generosity of people like you, children like Samuel have learned how to forgive, and how to move past their anger. BUT there are thousands of people with stories that are yet to end with hope. Help Tutapona provide that hope and healing by donating today.
*Name has been changed to protect the individual and family.