3. Hi, my name is Leira D. Maldonado, my home town is Manati Puerto Rico, and now, I am a Peace Corps Volunteer in Soroti, Uganda.. In 2003 the Lords Resistance Army, (LRA), invaded the Teso region of Uganda. Many people experienced brutal persecution and had to flee their homes. One of the aims of the LRA rebels was the abduction of children to use as soldiers. Once abducted, children were forced into the jungle where killings, rape, and sleep and food deprivation took place.

4.  Some of the reasons are: Inadequate training on guidance and counseling Lack of knowledge on record keeping, rules and regulations. Not enough community Integration Inadequate planning time and structure  Some of the children that were abducted were rescued by the organization called RACHLLE. They were provided with counselling and scholarships to continue their education. Once in school is up to the teachers to provide guidance and counselling to these children. Frankly, the reality is that is challenge for teachers to provide adequate guidance, counselling sessions and activities in school.

6. Provide guidance, counselling and psychosocial support to orphans and vulnerable children, and train teachers to provide effectives and practical ways of counselling. Initiate school based (psycho) therapeutic activities that will help traumatized children to recover faster and promote HIV/AIDS awareness. Provide HIV/AIDS prevention, psychosocial trauma management and counselling skills for teachers and parents. Sensitize the community and teachers on HIV/AIDS, girls’ education and peace education. Provide guidance, counselling and psychosocial support to orphans and vulnerable children, and train teachers to provide effectives and practical ways of counselling. Initiate school based (psycho) therapeutic activities that will help traumatized children to recover faster and promote HIV/AIDS awareness. Provide HIV/AIDS prevention, psychosocial trauma management and counselling skills for teachers and parents. Sensitize the community and teachers on HIV/AIDS, girls’ education and peace education.

7. P1 to P4 School Activities P5 to P7 School Activities Outreach Program Sensitization Program Teachers Training

11. By providing the appropriate resources the students at Soroti Demonstration P.S. and Madera Boys P.S. along with their teachers will continue promoting HIV/AIDS, Girls and Peace education by performing to the community and talking about these issues. Budget of $1,712 By appointing a professional counselor for two years and the proper equipment we will train the teachers and staff of these two schools on how to work as a team to run an effective guidance and counseling program in school. These program will emphasize HIV/AIDS awareness, Girls and Peace Education with a focus on Psycho Social Support. Budget of $8,125

12. For more information  About the children of Uganda: o Ministry of Education and Sports www.education.go.ug o Rachelle Rehabilitation Center in Lira http://www.childsoldiers. net  To contact Leira D. Maldonado and/or Anton Arabia e-mail us leira1@yahoo.com  Peace Corps Uganda www.peacecorps.gov Goveia, Jeffrey jgoveia@ug.peacecorps.gov Olinga, Mary Amali molinga@ug.peacecorps.go v

13. Thank you for your attention and we hope you can help us, in any way, to achieve our objectives for this community