The unfortunate tribe

[suezette]

First it was a civil war that lasted close to 25years, and then there was Ebola, now there is this nodding disease syndrome.

And old schoolmate posted on social media that it seems the Acholi (her tribe) people have no God; and I could not agree less.

As children, we were unable to visit our villages because there was an insurgency that lasted more than 20 Years; during this time, many things happened, there were abductions, child soldiers, people in camps and all those things that come with such insurgencies. Today, the people have returned to their home homes, but the after effects are great, and mostly negative; a whole generation is uneducated, people do not want to work because they are not used to, instead they prefer handouts. Land wrangles are the order of the day, people wake up to take crude brew, and the society has generally been left broken.

That was the war, then there was Ebola (of all diseases!) which I hear was well controlled (though it killed many including our senior doctor, it was well contained, by our standards).

Now, we have the nodding disease syndrome, which is slowly eating up children, children in a society that is already broken. The cause of the disease remains unclear, government will to intervene seems little with the concerned ministry issuing statements like there is no nodding disease in the country. In my country, anything can be politicized while the masses suffer.

One thing after another, limited to one tribe in a country with so many tribes (am not saying it should happen to other tribes), but why would such things happen. If only calamities would leave the people united but that not even the case.

This kind of situation is really stigmatizing, it shakes ones faith. I am not sure what question to ask at this point, but could there be a reason for all this? And just so know, most of the time, it does not feel good to be of my tribe.

 

[Quis_UtDeus]

Well here’s a few things:

1. As for the shattering of faith I’d say to approach this very carefully especially with the Problem of Evil. Here’s a good article by Matt Fradd on that topic How to Answer the Problem of Evil | Catholic Answers
2. It sounds like it would really enrichen your faith to begin reading the Book of Job, turning to Scripture would be very beneficial and you would find how much it can apply.
3. Surely I would say this: That now is a time for charity, try doing the best you can for those you think you can help. Or ask for help from who you think that can. Any kind of charitable work or deed you see in the process is a manifestation of God’s Love. Keep up with the prayer as much as you can
4. I personally do not have experience with situations as grave as this, so this is more the best advice I could give more than anything, I truly hope things turn out better and I will definitely be praying for you and the tribe.

 

[0Scarlett_nidiyilii]

Some ethnic groups get harder hit than others with calamities. Sometimes a groupie is somewhat unstable to start, but they rock along okay (on the surface) until a major stressor hits. Then it triggers a cascade of events that just get worse and worse.

It happens to individual families, too.

The answer is work and pray. They need some kind of intervention, the children need to be fed and educated, the adults need a hand-up to get them independent again.

And lots of prayer.

 

[Roseeurekacross]

ebola doesn’t discriminate, nor will nodding disease syndrome. wars don’t discriminate either.

God is there for all.