Exodus Psychosocial Support Uganda (EPSU) is an organization that provides education, resources and support to the people of Kabale Uganda to effect positive social change addressing the pressing issues of inequality, homelessness, hunger, unemployment, lack of skills, and lack of social education, most especially regarding sexuality, addiction, HIV, health and spirituality.
The project is located in the Kabale district which lies in south-western Uganda. The community is near the popular lake Bunyonyi and well known Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga National Parks which are the home of the infamous mountain gorillas.
EPSU promotes the emergence of a new society for Kabale, based on social justice, care and co-operation. The aim of the organization is to create a community which rejects cultural oppression and educates individuals on socio-economic differences, and equips them to make informed decisions which are not based on traditional beliefs. People within the community of Kabale, Uganda and the surrounding areas such as street children, orphans, parents and the elderly will benefit directly from the endeavors of this organization.
The current situation of the community of Kabale is characterized by emotional pain and suffering, food shortage, poverty and diseases. Societies are resigned about the situation and there is no clear need for action from within. “Hardships and misery are attributed to the will of God.” “The way things are, is the only way they can ever be” is the pervading attitude. Communities never question those in power, as they believe that it is out of their control and given to them, not shaped by them.
The land in Uganda, specifically the Kabale district, is no longer fertile. This has led to poor harvests which lead to food shortages for the ever increasing population. As families can no longer support their children they are kicked out of their homes to fend for themselves on the street. This generally results in homeless children roaming the streets where they are sexually harassed and exposed to HIV. For this reason family planning and birth control are societal issues which need to be addressed through educational programs.
It is socially not accepted to talk about pain involved in homes and most homes are polygamous. Resources belong to men while women and children are laborers and victims of their circumstances. The elderly are left to the mercy of God and children are forced out of homes to take refuge on the streets, eating from dustbins and sleeping in culverts. The problem is centering around the beliefs and values they hold towards life based on power, control and sex. Life is lived against its normal thrust, while issues of violence against women and children are not addressed.
In the current situation, youth do not have the skills or education to enable themselves to get off the street and find jobs. Those whom are educated do not have the resources to support those without the skills. This sense of hopelessness has resulted in people turning to alcohol abuse which often leads to promiscuity. This in turn leads to unwanted pregnancies where children are brought into a world where they are unable to be supported. This effect is all due to a lack of education and jobs as well as mass de-sensitization of the community which results in no positive action.
EPSU will enable access to proper psychosocial support and skills development to the people of Kabale.by extending programs to educate parents, youths, orphans and the street children to uplift them from sheer ignorance, diseases and poverty. This project will include formal education, as well as training to develop a trade, such as farming and technical skills, among others. EPSU will provide education on family planning, birth control, sex education and health issues.This project hopes to ultimately create an institution where homeless children can receive much needed support. The children will have the opportunity to learn technical skills which could aid them in finding jobs. EPSU looks to instill good values in the children and discourage them from criminal activity,prostitution and addiction,
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