Silenced Outcries Uplifting stories of families of victims and survivors of terrorism
When we lose a loved one, we are sad, angry and broken. It is hard to imagine that someone can carry that pain in their hearts for over ten years. That is what some families have been going through since the 2010 terrorist attack on Kampala in Uganda. One lady lost her younger sister to the bombings and their whole family has been angry and hurting for over ten years. When Silenced Outcries reached out to her, she was touched, especially being Christian, that a project run by Muslims would reach out to her, help her through her grief and equip her with ways to help others in a similar situation.
Silenced Outcries was one of the projects that were funded by the sub-grants given to the participants, seeking to open conversation on the effects of extremist attacks on women in Uganda. The lady was so grateful for the methods employed by the organisation that after training, she herself joined their efforts and became an advocate, sensitising others beginning with her own family.
Another participant tearfully recounted the loss of her sister who silently struggled with trauma until death. No one in the family knew how to help her because they did not recognise what they were seeing. She emphasised the impact of Silenced Outcries and WPVE project through which they have been educated, helped and strengthened to deal with their trauma.
The success of Silenced Outcries can still be seen through the podcast that was created to share stories of those traumatised by these attacks and spark conversations on the same. Silenced Outcries revealed a gaping hole in the VE cycle that negates the grief of its victims, inspiring Uganda Muslim Youth Development Forum to develop another programme; Uplift project.
