Africa

KAMPALA, UGANDA – This April, five criminals were convicted in Ugandan courts for stealing land and homes from vulnerable orphans. IJM Uganda worked closely with local police and prosecutors, and now 12 orphans have had their rights to land restored. Several are now adults with their own families.

IJM has beeng helping widows and orphans in Uganda since 2008, but seeing this many strong verdicts in one month is "unprecedented," according to Field Office Director Jesse Rudy, who added that the importance of each conviction "cannot be overstated."

NAIROBI, KENYA – Sarah* suffered under her stepfather's terrifying abuse for years—but today she can finally put the awful past behind her. With IJM's help, Sarah and her family are now safe, and the man who sexually and physically abused her has been convicted in a Kenyan court. Today, he begins 20 years in prison.

KIGALI, RWANDA – A Rwandan court's decision brought swift justice for 11-year-old Clarice* and her family. Just three weeks after she was raped, the man who attacked her has been found guilty by the court and sent to prison, where he can never hurt more children.

Clarice was especially vulnerable: a young girl, living with a mental disability and largely unable to communicate. On April 3, an older neighbor lured her into the woods and violently raped her. A woman passing by saw the assault and reported it to local leaders.

KIGALI, RWANDA – When she was 16, Aveline* found a job as a house helper for a family in Kigali, Rwanda's capital city. Putting school on hold, she worked hard to send money home to her family. But her promising job took a horrible turn: The man who employed her raped Aveline three times in as many months.

Aveline was scared and hurt, but she found the courage to report the abuse to local authorities. Police arrested the man, and local health workers connected Aveline to IJM for the legal help she desperately needed.

NAIROBI, KENYA – Wesley* is an incredibly brave young man. In a long trial, he has testified several times about the night he was sexually assaulted by a neighbor. Now, a judge has publicly confirmed what Wesley knew all along: the abuse he suffered was wrong. At last, his attacker has been convicted and sentenced to 10 years in prison. 

LUSAKA, ZAMBIA – After a ten-year legal battle, one Zambian widow can finally sleep in her home in peace. Just last week, IJM was with Selene* as a judge defended her rights to her home and finally stopped the abusive relatives who were trying to steal it from her.

Bold Theft and Cold Silence

When Selene's husband died in 2003, his sister boldly declared herself as owner of his property. She quickly brought a case to court to have Selene evicted from her home. The court defended Selene's right to the home, but the sister tried again with higher judges.

NAIROBI, KENYA – Four Kenyan boys are now free after spending the last three months behind bars – accused of a crime they did not commit. They were among 30 random people, including a grandmother and several young parents, who were rounded up by police just before the new year.

The Sweep

Jane was startled that day when police burst into her tiny home in the slum where she lives. She was watching her two grandchildren when the police demanded they all leave immediately. The children were forced to spend the night with her at the police station.

NAIROBI, KENYA – After a year-long struggle in court, one brave Kenyan mother finally saw justice for her young daughter this week: The man who raped 11-year-old Mumbua* will now spend his life in prison.

It was just days before her eleventh birthday, in December 2011, when Mumbua left her large family's home to buy some milk. On the way to the store, a neighbor called out to Mumbua and quickly caught up to her.

NAIROBI, KENYA – As the year ended, IJM Kenya began a groundbreaking partnership with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP) in Kenya.