An unforgettable trip – a chance to experience what is happening now in Uganda, a country trying its best to recover from the heartache of 20 years of brutal conflict with the help of generous folk from Shropshire.

Our hosts were Cafod, the Catholic development aid charity. It is using some of the millions of pounds raised in the UK — including £2million from The Shrewsbury Diocese – to fund livelihood and social projects in Northern Uganda.

It is about giving the future back to people who have had the very heart of their communities ripped to pieces and their family bonds and neighbourhood ties severed by horrific violence.

Families are having to come to terms with the legacy the Lord’s Resistance Army, a militia who abducted thousands of children from their homes, forcing them to be soldiers and attack their communities.

Girls who, after being attacked at gunpoint, were given to commanders as wives some as young as 12 and 13.

Parents who spent years not knowing what had happened to their children.

But peace has been restored and there is, for now, at least no conflict.

Paul Rubangaken, a psycho-social service coordinator, believes the people of Northern Uganda have the spirit to take back what was once theirs — essentially a peaceful community where people are safe and not forced to be afraid of each other.

He believes this can be done through forgiveness, acceptance and a sense of belonging.

It is never easy. Paul has counselled a man who was a child solider but who has now returned home only to admit during one of their sessions that he was responsible for the death of Paul’s nephew.

Paul believes in the resilience of the Acholi people of Northern Uganda. Rebuilding that generation so the nex has a future is the work that is being done here.

This week I have met people who have been through heartache we cannot begin to imagine. Financial support has given them the ability to create a Big Society project which David Cameron can only dream of.

Cafod is so desperately trying to tell their story and why they are so grateful to the many fundraisers including those in Shropshire who make their work possible.

For more information about Cafod call (01244) 677594

By Tracey O’Sullivan