Stephen Shames met Okello when the foundation bearing his name held an art workshop at the camp. Shames said he knew right away that Okello was smart and helped enroll him in a Ugandan nonprofit group that helps children go to school. Shames also helped Okello get his new, right arm in Philadelphia.

In northern Uganda, abducted children such as Okello are generally given amnesty. The government, which has done its share of mistreating northern Ugandans, understands that these children were terrorized into becoming victimizers even as they were victims themselves.

Amazingly, many of the young people who have survived captivity have figured out ways to cope with their past. More than psycho-social care, many need schooling and jobs to successfully leave their captivity behind, according to a recent, comprehensive study by U.S. researchers called the Survey of War Affected Youth. It found that “significant numbers of abductees perform quite well relative to their peers.”

Okello seems to be doing well. In Uganda, he’s a leader at his school. He is gentle-natured and charmingly shy. 

He is a young man who dreams of becoming a lawyer. Considering his motto, “no excuses,” and everything he has overcome, it’s easy to believe his dream may just come true.

Contact staff writer Carolyn Davis at cdavis@phillynews.com.