Richard Olweny.
Age 21-years-old
School Uganda Film and Television institute
Class Second year of college
Village Kirombe, Gulu District
Family situation I stay with my sister. My father and mother were killed by the Kony rebels.
I want to be a photo-journalist
Ambition I want to start my own studio in Gulu Town to teach children video and art.This year Richard opened an NGO in Gulu to teach video to children.
Hobbies Photography, drawing, and watching movies.
My story
“I was born in Pabbo Village, Gulu District in Northern Uganda. When I was 13-years-old and still staying with my parents, the LRA rebels attacked our village at about 6 PM – when we were having our supper. My sisters and I ran away leaving our parents behind. They thought the rebels only wanted young children to become child soldiers and girls to be their wives and cook their food. We spent the night in the bush.
In the morning, as we came near the village, we heard people crying. We found our mother killed and our father missing. That same day, the rebels came back and this time, I was abducted. My life as a child soldier began. We were forced to commit many atrocities by the commanders.
One day the government forces attacked our camp and we dispersed. I managed to escape and fell into the arms of the government soldiers. They took me to Gulu, and announced my escape over the radio. I went back to my village and stayed with my elder sister. After four months we received news that my father had escaped from the rebels as well, but he was so traumatized that he could not take care of us. Shortly after his comeback, he fell sick and died.
It was not safe to stay in the village. Children were still being abducted. To avoid being captured, I became a Night Commuter. Together with all the kids from the village, I walked to Gulu every evening, where we slept on cement verandahs, After a month on the streets, I joined the Night Commuter Center where I slept on the floor since there were not enough beds. Food was very scarce at the center. I was elected Deputy Head Boy at the center.
While there, I met a teacher who helped me to develop my talent of drawing pictures. I like to draw and paint pictures. I believe pictures tell stories that words may not be able to express
In 2006, I was discovered by Mr. Stephen Shames of L.E.A.D Uganda when he. After hearing my story and looking at my drawings, he promised to sponsor my education. Now study film and photography at the Uganda Film and Television Institute in Kampala. After my studies I want to start a photo studio and an art group composed of children that have been affected by war and HIV/AIDS. I can help them heal through art.”
