Seeking JUSTICE for Sarah

A Story of Faith, Determination, & Courage

“INJUSTICE  ANYWHERE IS A THREAT TO JUSTICE EVERYWHERE.”  
- Martin Luther King

The silence that surrounds the act of rape is almost as heinous as the crime itself. It is estimated that more than one million women are exposed to or experience sexual violence every year in Uganda. The country’s corruption, lack of police infrastructure, poor legislation, and life-threatening fear makes it difficult for victims to come forward and seek help. 

Sarah had just turned 18 years old when she was raped. A man named Dembe had found Sarah while she was alone working in a field where she had planted potatoes and vegetables. Sarah learned these life skills from Project Orphan’s empowerment program. Sarah was also a member of our campus’s church and sang in the choir. 

One day, Dembe had followed Sarah to the field where she worked. He knew she was alone and that she was vulnerable. After sexually assaulting Sarah, Dembe told her that he would kill her and burn down the Project Orphan’s campus if she was to tell anyone what he did to her. Sarah became pregnant from the assault and truly feared for her life. 

A few weeks after the assault, Sarah was at a girl’s youth meeting, hosted by Project Orphans. During that meeting, Sarah and many other girls were told that Project Orphans would protect any victim of physical and sexual abuse. They were encouraged to come forward when they knew of abuse or if they were currently experiencing any form of injustice. It took Sarah seven days to write a letter seeking help and sharing about the abuse she had endured.

Most victims fail to come forward because they would have to pay for the facilitation of their investigation. Sarah along with many girls gives up on finding justice. When Project Orphans received Sarah's letter seeking help we immediately intervened. Sarah was moved onto our campus while we began to work with the local police and facilitate investigations. Sarah’s abuser, Dembe, quickly ran away and began hiding from the police. 

For nearly six months, Dembe was on the run! Just recently, a dedicated team led by Project Orphan’s private security launched a mission to locate Dembe and seek justice for Sarah. It took five solid days of following leads, working with local undercover village members, and announcing a hefty award for the team to locate and arrest Dembe.  

The entire community watched as we hunted for Dembe. Project Orphans was just hunting for one man. We were making a point. We were showing every girl that no matter how much time, money, or resources it took - justice would be found! The day our organization arrested Dembe was not only a victory for Sarah, but it was a promise to hundreds of girls in our community that no matter what — every girl is valuable, every girl is worthy of love, and every girls’ safety matters!

If you would like to support Project Orphans and help our organization continue to provide justice to other girls, like Sarah, and children who have experienced physical and sexual abuse please click the button below.