Child-soldiers were all around Guinea when Sierra Leon and Ivory Coast were warring while I was in Africa. Even though we were located miles from the borders, children were being trained in our area. Many of these children were under 12 years. They were forced to carry arms, shoot people, carry messages, and do despicable things. When they were released back to their families, provided they lived through the war, they were mean and violent with their siblings and parents. Many times the families rejected these children from their homes and then they became children of the street and criminals.
According to IRIN, this is a problem in many parts of the world. There are international laws against using children as soldiers and still the problem continues.
Barbara,
ReplyDeleteIt is very sad that all children are not afforded the wonderful opportunities of being a child, having a safe and nurturing environment to play, explore, imagine, be comforted, and be acknowledge. We know how hard it is for adults to deal with post-traumatic stress disorder and for children this emotional injury impacts their life ten-fold. Displaying acts of violence against family members is a sign of post-traumatic stress disorder. Berger defines it as "During childhood, maltreated children may seem fearful, startled by noise, defensive and quick to attack, and confused between fantasy and reality" (2009, p. 241). I hope and pray early intervention becomes a priority in Guinea so these child victims can experience some sense of happiness in their little lives.
Thank you for sharing this information. It must be heart wrenching for you to recount these memories of your journey in Africa.
Blessings,
Patty Eningowuk
Berger, K. S. (2009). The developing person through childhood (5th ed.). New York, NY: Worth Publishers.
Barbara,
ReplyDeleteThat is aweful that they use children as soldiers. Even our soldiers 18 and older
don't know what they are really in for until they get there, but at least they have
an idea. These children are way too young to comprehend what they are forced to do.
No wonder they become violent and agressive when they are sent home. Most are probably
suffering with post tramatic stress disorder and they don't know how to cope. It's
sad that they get sent away from home too with no help and forced to live on the
streets. It amazes me what some children all over the world have to go through. Thanks
for sharing.
Take care.
Darcey