Otino-International was first conceptualized in 2008 by Imat Akelo-Opio during her reign as Miss Uganda USA. Ms Akelo-Opio a scientist turned actor had a vision that “Not one should be left behind”. It was Ms Akelo-Opio’s dream after returning home to her traditional home of Northern Uganda where she saw first hand the devastation and atrocities that were left behind by the Lords Resistance Army (LRA).
Ms Akelo-Opio saw that there was a need for medical care and attention for the people of Northern Uganda (NU) who had now returned to their ancestral lands after the LRA activity had ceased. During her time in NU, Imat was told of stories where mainly women and children especially upon returning back to their villages were dying from preventable diseases and also from inadequate health care because of having to travel for more than 4-5 hours on foot one way to the nearest health centre. And additionally, having to borrow money to catch bus to the district capital Lira in order to receive treatment at the district public hospital (Lira Hospital).
Encounter with UFFP President :
Imat you are best known in the Diaspora as an actress and model, please may you give as some background on acting credentials and what you are most currently are up to at present
To begin with my full name is Imat Akelo-Opio and I am an actor having studied in NYC at HB Studio Conservatory programme and at Yale University’s Summer Drama Actors Conservatory, with performance credits in the USA, South Pacific and Australia in theatre, TV and film. I also have been fortunate to be a model and most recently, I host my own radio show “Global Woman Forward” on the CNE Network in LA. However, I am first and foremost the founder and Co-Director of the Non-Profit Organization Otino-International.
How did you start Otino?
During my reign as Miss Uganda USA, and whilst transitioning from a scientist to an actor I was faced with the reality upon returning to my homeland of the widening disparity between post conflict Northern Uganda and the rest of the country. I then began to research on post conflict countries and the types of health issues that mainly affect women and children.
It was unanimous; that across the board these post conflict nations and regions statistics showed almost twice and in some cases three times higher than the amount of mortality and death rates in comparison to their non-conflict counterparts. So I began to ask the question as to why? It was then when I was in Northern Uganda in 2009, after being away for 14 years due to the Lords Resistance Army (LRA), that women began to tell me their stories of returning home after the LRA activity had ceased (which was over 2 decades) and having to start again with no infrastructure and especially no health infrastructure in form of hospitals or clinics for people to readily have access to medical attention; or at most basic life saving immunizations for expectant mothers and children. So I then approached a team of women to see how we could address this issue and that was the beginning of Otino.
What exactly does Otino do?
Otino-International is a Christian non-profit organization that shares the love of Jesus Christ through servitude via the provision of a mobile medical unit. Otino is an outreach programme that provides medicine, health care, immunization, and health education, empowerment for the Innocents and employment for the local professionals.
I noticed that you used the term Innocents- what is this?
An” innocent(s)” is a term that was coined by Otino. It means the victims of conflict or war. So very often , women and children especially are the major causalities of these conflicts and continue to suffer even in the aftermath when the conflict has ended with issues such as lack of health care, medicine, education and employment to name a few. Henceforth the areas in which Otino is also providing sustainable development.
So how is the road not travelled?
This is an extremely challenging project. However we have an amazingly dedicated and multi-skilled executive team made up to date of women stemming from nations around the world namely Singapore, Fiji, Gambia and Uganda. Each executive member also is an expert in her chosen field ranging from project management in the Pharmaceutical Industry to a Finance Analyst, a marketing executive and experienced writer.
Having this executive team namely Marn Ying Lum, Patriciah Apio, Olivia Lido and Tanta Badjan, has been such a blessing because each one brings a much needed element to ensure that Otino executes all projects, effectively with complete accuracy. All I can say is that there is strength in a multitude and I applaud my team for daring to believe and birth the vision of a better world through health.
The road less or not travelled is also extremely rewarding; knowing that you are making a difference collectively as team to ensure that not one is left behind.
Why did you choose for your name Otino and what does it mean?
Otino means children. The word Otino comes from the Lango language of Northern Uganda. We chose this name because children are the face of the innocents who are most affected by war, but yet they are also the face of the future, of hope of a better tomorrow.
Your website has a very global feel to it, how did this come about and how does this translate to Otino?
Yes we are an international team, infact I was always say that we live in a global village. Otino’s aim to reach the farthest corners of the world and hence the “international” as part of the name. We intend to also serve post conflict nations across our global village. This translates in showing that Otino has a global “oneness mentality” that we are aware and culturally sensitive to all the peoples that we will serve.
So what would you want to say to our readers today?
I would like for everyone to imagine our “Global Village” in which we acknowledge that we are all “one”. For us to remember that “not one should be left behind”. That women and children especially should not be dying after living in decades of war torn nations and having gone through life’s most horrendous atrocities; now only to succumb to preventable disease because of not having the means to get to get to a Doctor, medical clinic or hospital unless walking for at least 4 or more hours one way to receive treatment.
No-one should have to endure this and no-one should die from preventable diseases or even child-birth which is another major killer in almost half of deliveries in villages the women do not live to see their child. This is unacceptable and is a basic human right. Let us not turn a blind eye or think that the problem is too big, but rather let us work together, for we are fighting a battle not of one which is not carnal but rather an invisible killer the mediator of silence! We must raise awareness and address this issue at a head.
So how can we get involved and support you?
Otino is always looking for new Corporate Sponsors and we also want cultural groups as well schools and tertiary educators to be a part of this movement or infact war that we are fighting with medicine.
You can donate, be a partner and or sponsor and you can also get together collectively and pray for these innocents, for nothing is more powerful than prayer.
You can find us at:
On facebook, twitter and also has a website that you can visit. The details are:
Website – www.otino-international.org
Facebook- www.facebook.com/otino-international.org
Twitter – https://twitter.com/OtinoIntl
I would like to take this opportunity to thank UFFP for supporting Otino-international through the medium of this interview, we are most grateful for your assistance in aiding our voice reach the world so that we can better tackle this issue with the help of the world.