acholibur padjule kitgum mucwini madi-opei agoro lira aboke arusha kampala mto-wa-mbu masai kilimanjaro omot aliwang ader

Agoro

Standing on the northern border of Sudan and Uganda, the pair prepare their bicycles for the dusty roads ahead. In Agoro we meet Ronald and Jimmy, two young men whose stories leave a lasting impact on Jonathan and Corrin.

Madi Opei

Only 45km from Agoro, Madi Opei was badly hit throughout the conflict. The first stop is a refugee camp still inhabited by the community. We come across Michael, a young man only returned from the bush in May 2011 just weeks after we meet him. He tells us of his escape from the jungles in the Democratic Republic of Congo with his friend Conci, who is now living in Acholibur... nearby, and one of the next stops on our journey.

Mucwini

The long, hot and bumpy dirt road from Madi Opei to Mucwini presents a major challenge for Jonathan and Corrin. In the village of Mucwini we meet Oscar and his father; a very moving story of a young man struggling to live in a community that he believes does not accept him.

Kitgum

The first town the pair encounters on their journey seems a world away from the conditions of the villages they have been riding through. This buzzing African town is a welcome break for Jonathan and Corrin.

Acholibur

With huts from the refugee camp still scattered on the boundaries of the village, Acholibur sits 150km from the start of the journey. The pair meet an incredible group of youths - the Acholibur Peace Club - a volunteer organisation of former child soldiers set up to bring support and care to the community.

Padjule

Before arriving in Padjule, Corrin and Jonathan learn that two returned LRA commanders are in the village ahead wanting to meet them. The pair discuss whether they will do the meeting or not. What they hear will leave them both confused.

Omot

Notorious for what became known as the 'Omot Massacre' during the war. Thirty people were killed here and three were cooked in a pot before the commanders forced the local villagers to eat them. The stories are almost too horrific to hear and as they are leaving, Jonathan and Corrin have a sense they are not wanted here.

Aliwang

An oasis half way through the journey. We seek refuge at the Aliwang Catholic mission where we speak to Italian priest Father Guido about what it was like to live through the conflict. Jonathan and Corrin play football with the World Youth Education Trust Football teams, a programme to bring sports to returned former child soldiers.

Ader

After a long and difficult journey we arrive in Jonathan's home village to stay with his mother. The family remembers the night that Jonathan was forcibly abducted from the family to be trained as a child soldier. The conversation lasts well into the night…

Lira

Here, Jonathan sees his school friends again. They wish him well for Kilimanjaro before he goes on the radio to talk to the entire Otuke region about the journey ahead… and specifically his forthcoming ascent of Mt Kilimanjaro.

Aboke

St Mary's school - the site of the internationally renowned case. 137 girls were abducted by the LRA to become wives of commanders. Corrin speaks to two young women, one of whom was abducted and kept as a wife of a commander, whilst the other escaped.

Kampala

Jonathan and Corrin arrive in Kampala. The riots against the government are in full swing, and after an incident with the Ugandan Police force, the pair prepare for their early flight to Tanzania. Tomorrow will be Jonathan's first time on an airplane.

Arusha

Arusha is the travellers' first stop in Tanzania. For Jonathan this is his first time outside of Uganda and it is exciting for Corrin to be showing Jonathan around a country and town he knows well. The pair take a break before heading off to the village.

Mto Wa Mbu

Literally meaning 'River of Mosquitos', Mto Wa Mbu has a great importance for Corrin. It is here that his African journey started and where much of his inspiration to start the World Youth Education Trust came from. Here Jonathan meets Corrin's mentor Mama Anna.

Masai

The Masai Warriors in Northern Tanzania play an important role in Corrin's life. Four years ago he became the brother of a young Masai called Mollel, and now he always stays with his Masai family when he is in the country. Jonathan and Mollel will meet for the first time and celebrate - two African men whose lives couldn't seem further from one another.

Kilimanjaro

The summit of Kilimanjaro marks the end of Jonathan and Corrin's African journey. Uhuru Peak or Freedom Peak rises 5985 metres above sea level and is the worlds highest freestanding mountain. This is the roof of Africa and a symbol of hope for all Africans.

A life-affirming story of the unlikeliest of characters

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