Hope in a time of war.

Local peacebuilder Henri Ladyi with a child soldier in D.R.Congo

June 30 is the 50th anniversary of independence in the Congo and marks the day that the UN peacekeeping mission begins to withdraw. Over 5 million people have been killed in ‘Africa’s world war’ – and still the fighting continues in the East.

In this vicious bush war, children are prized by the rebel militias because they are ‘pure’ – a status that gives them special powers to prepare black magic potions and amulets against bullets. Some as young as 9 years old are kidnapped or lured from their homes to a life of fear and brutality and violence.

Peace Direct funds local peacebuilder Henri Ladyi – a man working on the frontline of conflict to protect those children and their communities.

This Independence day, Henri is organising a celebration in Butembo town and he will unveil a Wall of Hope for the children he has rescued and those that still remain in the bush. We’re inviting you to be part of this – by adding your picture to our Wall of Hope. Your picture will wipe out the weapons, your message will show the children they’re not alone, and any donation you make could help Henri to change their future. Add your message to our wall of hope

Click on the boxes below to find out more about Henri’s work to rescue child soldiers.

Visit our in action pages to find out more about Henri’s projects

CHILD SOLDIERS IN THE CONGO

There are still 7,000 child soldiers in the Congo – and more are being recruited. Most are in the Mai Mai militias in Kivu, where local peacebuilder Henri Ladyi is based.

The Mai Mai are known to kidnap their child soldiers – children are valued by the militias for their ability to perform black magic rituals which aid the fighters. But they are also used in frontline combat, and the girls are often raped or used as sexual slaves.

However, many children sign up voluntarily. After a lifetime of war these children are faced with few opportunities, live in debilitating poverty, have little access to education and no real future. That’s why we want to change their future.

Yet stopping the use of children in warfare is not just a case of rescuing them and returning them to their homes. They need a genuine alternative to joining armed groups, which means they need training to earn a living, and they need to feel safe in their own villages.

BREAKING THE CYCLE OF CONFLICT

Local hero Henri Bura Ladyi has spent the last 10 years building a peaceful future for his region, North Kivu, the epicentre of the bush war. He is tireless in his work for peace, and his dedication and commitment mean he has the respect of both gun-toting militiamen and the international community. In the past year he has rescued 230 child soldiers, offered them safe passage back to their families, and given each a skill to support themselves.

Henri budgets around £21 to train each child, some choose engineering, others haircutting or animal husbandry. He gives them the tools they will need, some rabbits, a clipper or tools, just enough to get by. Of course the ideal is that they return to school, but their urgent need is to feed themselves before and during their education, so they do not return to the militia for the promise of a meal.

Training child soldiers is just one aspect of Henri’s work. His goal is to move from war to sustainable peace, and his indepth knowledge of the local situation mean his achievements can make a lasting difference to people who have lived through decades of violence.

Henri focuses on all sides caught up in the conflict – militia and civilians, combatants and villagers. He works to persuade militia to lay down their arms, to assist people who have fled their homes to return, and to help village communities find ways to support themselves. All this ensures that poverty and hunger won’t lead to further cycles of violence.

SAVING LIVES AND BRINGING HOPE

In the past year Henri has rescued 230 child soldiers from a life of gunfights and black magic, persuaded 630 combatants to lay down their arms and helped them to find ways to live without violence, helped 1240 people to return to their homes after fleeing violence, established 73 radio clubs to spread his message, resolved 1,532 local conflicts, given peace education to 5,700 church goers and trained 60 teachers in peace education.

His achievements are amazing and he can do all this at a fraction of the cost of large international agencies. Each radio broadcast costs just £35, yet reaches hundreds of people living in the most remote areas. By committing to a regular gift of £6 a month, in one year you could cover the cost of two radio broadcasts.