The Story of the Acholi – A Village Tale from Uganda
An incredible 2011 summer program led to the creation of our AfA storybook entitled The Story of the Acholi – A Village Tale from Uganda. This was born out of a project that encouraged Acholi community members living in Gulu, northern Uganda to write, paint and perform about their personal stories consisting of family, positive health and peace & reconciliation after the 20 year civil war. Our 56 page storybook is written in both English and Acholi languages, is full of colorful illustrations, displays photographs of participating community members and captures personal quotes about this intimate and ultimately empowering project.

We are extremely proud to announce that our storybook is now available through Amazon.com. It is suitable for children over the age of five, and it makes a wonderful gift for friends and family, as well as a great educational resource for the classroom and at home.

Purchase Book link: www.amazon.com

The Story of the Acholi – A Village Tale from Uganda was made possible through a strong collaboration between Artfully AWARE, Childcare and Development Organization and Karin Parents Association. 100% of proceeds raised through the purchase of our book goes straight back into developing more educational arts programs for community members in Uganda to promote empowerment, support psychological well-being, increase self-esteem and enhance local capacity building.

View our photo album of how this project developed with community members by clicking here.

“Cultural ties contribute to the social, psychological, therapeutic and educational existence of Ugandans. This storybook is the culmination of hundreds of community members’ ideas, thoughts, hopes and dreams. The illustrations were first created in 2008 in Tororo and by August 2011, Gulu residents wrote their own personal recollections in diaries describing events they lived through. They painted scenes depicting their beautiful and sometimes harrowing tales. As a collective group, we combined the essays into one – to colorfully tell the story of the Acholi people. We hope this storybook will bring Ugandan readers closer together and allow the chance for others around the world to share in this experience, while learning about northern Uganda’s remarkable culture and its people.” Hilary Wallis, Founder and Executive Director of Artfully AWARE

The Story of the Acholi – A Village Tale from Uganda was made possible through a strong collaboration between Artfully AWARE, Childcare and Development Organization and Karin Parents Association.

Text copyright © 2011 by members of Karin Parents Association in Gulu District, Uganda. Illustrations copyright © 2008 and 2011 by members of Karin Parents Association, as well as Kwapa and Nyalakot Post Test Clubs in Tororo District. Book design by Hilary Wallis. ISBN-10: 1475027753 / EAN-13: 978-1475027754

The Artfully AWARE Storybook Program was taught by Hilary Wallis, Justin Igala and Brian Pade in Gulu District. Participants from the Karin Parents Association included: Joyce Ojara, Alex Ojera, Richard Okello, George Nyeko, Santo Okongo, Fred Otema, Joseph Okello, Juliet Ochola, Zura Akech, Rose Oryem, Nancy Minala, Susan Onen, Jimmy Elvis Obwoya, Lawrence Ayella, Ivan Kakamyero, Jimmy Tuku, Goretty Anyadwe, David Oryem, Betty Acire, Christine Adee, Beatrice Akera, Jennifer Olya, Eunice Acen, Rose Otto, Nobert Ojok, Beatrice Aceng and Dennis Oyat. Leadership was provided by Hope Ygo Okeny and Hellen Akwero.

Additional illustrations were created by Justin Igala, Brian Pade, Gerald Kabuye and community members in Tororo District that include: Julius Otim, Priscillah Auma, Henry Muruga, Silver Ochiengit, Paul Ikosit, O.F., Rachel Namata, Geofrey Inyaino, Ali Kitere, Jude Omaches, Haumba Tohnbosco, Martin Ochapet, Mary Adikini, Lam Owor, Oti, David Amar, Paul Olweny, Christine Athieno, F. P. Omoding, Joyce Achipa, youth from Tororo Youth Centre, members from Kwapa Post Test Club and members from Nyalakot Post Test Club.