The children who came back from the dead
Channel 4’s Unreported World features the work of local peacebuilder Henri Ladyi to liberate child soldiers. The documentary focuses on the release of several dozen youngsters, and follows Henri as he travels deep into the bush to meet with hardened rebel leaders.
In the past year Henri has rescued 650 child soldiers – 400 have since been reunited with their families, the others are being cared for by foster families. 175 children under ten have returned to school, and those older have been trained in skills they can use to support themselves. These are the true stories of the children growing up in one of the most dangerous places on earth.
Henri budgets just £21 to give each child he liberates the skills to start a fresh. For some this is enough to buy some animals to rear for milk and eggs, for others it the basic training to be a mechanic, a hairdresser or a baker. Make a donation today and help children like these change their future.
Freddie, 10
They told me the militia camp would be the City of Joy
Freddie was just 6 when he joined the rebel group. He was a medicine boy responsible for mixing drugs to gain magical powers – believed to turn stones into bullets, and make the children fearless, regardless of the grim reality of battle. In Freddie’s unit there were 700 people – 12 who were younger than him, and at least 100 girls. Henri liberated Freddie in May, after many years in the bush, he was the most quiet and withdrawn of the children.
With Henri’s help Freddie now has a job as an apprentice at a bakery. His job is to need the dough, stoke the fire and put the bread in the oven, he can earn $3 a day – a small amount, but enough to support himself so he can return to school.
It costs just £21 to give a former child soldier the skills to change their future. Make a gift today.
Leave your message for Freddie on our Wall of Hope.
Kalungu, 13
Our village was attacked, my parents were kidnapped and I had nowhere to go – so I went to the rebels. I was 11 when I first picked up a gun. The first battle, it was at night, so many were killed…
Our village was attacked, my parents were kidnapped and I had nowhere to go – so I went to the rebels. I was 11 when I first picked up a gun. The first battle, it was at night, so many were killed…
Kalungu was liberated by Henri in May 2010. He is now working in a hair dressing salon, with two other boys who came out of the bush. The salon is training the boys, and they are able to earn a small amount of money so that they can afford food and shelter. The boys plan to set up their own salon one day.
This work can help me, I can buy clothes and goats, even a hoe. It was easy to adapt to life in the town – we got so much help and advice from Henri
It costs just £21 to give a former child soldier the skills to change their future. Make a gift today.
Leave your message for Kalungu on our Wall of Hope.
Mbila, 14
My parents died and the land was sold, there was nothing for me, so I joined the rebels. I was 8 maybe, I can’t even remember the name of my village now. I was ten when I first picked up a gun.
My parents died and the land was sold, there was nothing for me, so I joined the rebels. I was 8 maybe, I can’t even remember the name of my village now. I was ten when I first picked up a gun.
Mbila is working with Kalunga in the hair salon.
It is much better here, but if I had no job I would have to return to the bush
It costs just £21 to give a former child soldier the skills to change their future. Make a gift today.
Leave your message for Mbila on our Wall of Hope.
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Photo Credit: Fiona Lloyd-Davis
