Published in Living Hope Newsletter, January 2012
Mary Achiro is a 47-year old widow in pain. Her pain is both physical and emotional. In October 1991, Mary encountered Joseph Kony and his LRA rebels. She watched as her husband was hacked to death along with her son. They spared Mary's life, but cut off her lips. The trauma of this ordeal still haunts her today.
Mary was given the opportunity to undergo reconstructive surgeries in 1993 and 1998. Both surgeries went horribly wrong, causing her further trauma. She used to live with her mother who also became ill, forcing Mary to be alone and fend for herself.
After more then 20 years of disappointment and suffering, Mary resigned herself to a life of loneliness and pain.
She was approached several times by the Living Hope to undergo reconstructive surgery, but she was afraid. “The pain and trauma I went through with the first surgeries was worse than the initial injuries by the soldiers. I cannot trust people to help me any more,” she said.
But after hearing about the love of God from other Living Hope ladies, Mary recently mustered up the courage to try again.
“I’ve received a lot of encouragement from the other ladies who have undergone surgery through Watoto. They are doing well and I think I’m now ready to try again. I’ll be very happy if I can function normally again. All I’ve experienced is abuse, ridicule and rejection from my community because of my face.”
Mary will join other women who have been identified to start trauma counselling and discipleship and eventually benefit from reconstructive surgery in 2012.
