At 16, Irene awoke to rebel soldiers breaking down her door. The eldest of her sisters, she was the only one abducted by the LRA as they ransacked her village. She was forced to carry stolen food and supplies as they endlessly moved to evade detection. One boy attempted to escape from the group, but was captured and mutilated and killed in front of Irene to serve as an example. During an attack on the rebel group, Irene hid for over 24 hours until she felt it was safe to run.  At two months pregnant and completely alone, she had to convince local villagers that she was not a rebel soldier. She was brought to World Vision’s rehabilitation program and after 8 months in the program, she was finally allowed to return home.  

But home was not the same: her parents had been killed by the LRA, leaving her two younger sisters orphaned. Now Irene takes care of these two sisters and her own child as their primary care giver. It was then that Invisible Children found her. The MEND project provides Irene with a much needed job, the dignity of good work using her skills, and a community of women that understand her.