VICKY ABIYO
Vicky grew up with three brothers and two sisters in Adjumani near the Sudan border. At age 9 she was captured by the rebels. She spent eight years enduring hard labor, armed fighting and countless acts of violence against her including beatings and rape. Right after she gave birth to her daughter, she managed to escape. Joy is now four years old and recently survived a near-fatal bout with malaria. Fortunately Vicky had a little money from her beadwork to help pay for medical care. “It is because of the beads that we are surviving.” IGAP has also raised Vicky’s hopes that Joy will get an education.
When she returned from the bush, Vicky learned tailoring and acquired a sewing machine. With her IGAP savings, she will finally be able to purchase fabric and other materials to get her sewing business off the ground.
At age 21, Vicky feels grateful for the life she now has. “Before, I felt lost and had nothing to do. Now I have structure and earn my own money. Our lives have really changed because of this program.”
Vicky grew up with three brothers and two sisters in Adjumani near the 