Was it all worth it? Ask Ivan.

I was born in the Northern region of Uganda, a place once stained by thehorrors of the Lord’s Resistance Army. As a child, I knew fear more thanpeace. I heard the sound of gunfire before I learned how to read. I witnessed lives lost before I ever understood what it meant to truly live. The nights were filled with terror—our lives hidden in the bushes, never knowing if morning would come. Food was a privilege, education a fantasy, and survival a miracle. I was just another faceless child in a war-torn land, carrying trauma no child should ever bear.

But in 2013, my story changed. I was abducted again—but this time, by love. Village of Hope Uganda found me. They didn't see a victim; they saw potential. They offered me something more powerful than food or shelter: they gave me hope. For the first time, I had regular meals, a bed to sleep in, and access to education. Even more, I found family—people who believed in me, prayed with me, and reminded me that my past did not define my future.

I graduated from Law school, preparing for my bar exam. My dream is to become a judge—not for status, but for justice. I want to speak for those who have no voice, just like I once had none. I want to turn my pain into purpose, and my past into a platform to inspire others.

From the ashes of war to the halls of justice. The Lord used Village of Hope to transform my life. I am not just a survivor—I am a testimony of what hope faith, and opportunity can do.

Ivan Dugu