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| Sierra Leone: Child soldier rescue | |
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In Sierra Leone, Africa, since 1991 a war has claimed over 100,000 lives, with a further 50,000 mutilated. One of the most terrible consequences of the war have been the child soldiers who have been forced to join in the war. Boys as young as six have been made to carry weapons. Once in the army they are virtual slaves, with rebel faction initials carved into their chests. Bishop George Biguzzi, was kidnapped twice by rebel forces. Escaping unharmed, he also managed on one occasion to free 20 child soldiers. His friend, Ibrahim Sesay, helped release 180 boys after risky negotiations with rebel leaders. "These children have been forced into doing things no child should ever do," says Bishop Biguzzi. Once released, the boys receive food, shelter and trauma counselling in four interim centres while their families are traced. CAFOD has sent money to help support these camps. As Bishop Biguzzi says: "I speak with the voice of the children and displaced people who have been helped, by saying ‘Tanki tanki’ — thank you. And God bless you." During 1999, after a major attack on Freetown by rebel forces which burned down half the town, CAFOD was particularly active helping the most vulnerable groups, especially children and women. CAFOD sent £48,000 to help rebuild a training centre to house homeless young people affected by the war. |
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