Education Congo, Democratic Republic of the Project #20787

21 Child Soldiers Need Vital Help

by Peace Direct

Project Report | Jul 8, 2015
Lokana's Story

By Ruth Tidy | Project Leader

Henri in the field

Two weeks ago, we shared Furaha’s story with you. Once a captive of a violent militia, she is now enrolled in school, working part-time in a salon, and receiving the counselling and guidance she desperately needs. Here is the story of Lokana, a young man who CRC are currently working to help.

At the age of 10 Lokana’s parents died. He was handed over to his uncle who had no option but to raise him. They lived in abject poverty barely managing to eat. His uncle, seeing no other option, handed him over to a rebel militia group where at least he would have food. Lokana was just 12. The rebels trained him as a child soldier and for six years he was forced to raid villages that before had been his neighbours, fighting and killing local men, women and children. One day, amid a violent battle, his left arm was injured by a machete: the wound was near-deadly. The militia amputated his arm. Having witnessed and done things no child should ever see, Lokana was left with a disability which would affect his whole life. He had little hope for his future.

Not long after, Lokana’s armed group was captured in Djugo, Ituri Province. Destitute, alone and heavily traumatised, Lokana had no skills or education to get a job and little prospects for the future. Luckily, he was released to the care of Henri and his staff at CRC.

CRC are now providing Lokana with intensive counselling to address the trauma caused by his violent adolescence and the loss of his family. The counselling is easing his transition into community life. Lokana has started to regain his self-esteem and confidence.

He is receiving practical training in sewing and in managing livestock so he can get a job and learn a livelihood. He is now able to earn a small amount of money to pay for his personal needs and soon he will be able to earn more so he can start a new life. The money raised for CRC is also paying for Lokana to attend high school classes for the first time so he has a basic education.

Child soldiers rescued by CRC are given the tools to lift themselves and their communities out of poverty. They are able to abandon their violent lives and address the physical and psychological scars inflicted on them by the cruelty of armed militias. By supporting our campaign, you can help rescue and re-settle child soldiers, allowing them to live safe, happy, and productive lives. Please support our appeal and donate today.

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Jun 17, 2015
Furaha's Story

By Ruth Tidy | Project Leader

CRC staff in Beni

Furaha was 12 years old when a militia group recruited her from her village Kokola in North Kivu province. For two years she lived as a child soldier until, last December, the Congolese military defeated her captors in the bush. She was rescued and released to our partner CRC. Furaha was badly malnourished, disoriented, and physically scarred from her devastating and frightening life under the militia’s control.

Henri and his team provided her with emergency food, bedding, clothes, and medicine to begin the long process of reintegration. Despite much effort, CRC could not locate Furaha’s family. They had fled their village amid constant and violent attacks from militia and could not be traced. She was placed in the hands of a stable and experienced foster family and given counselling to address the trauma inflicted by years of psychological and physical abuse.

At first returning to civilian life, Furaha was full of sadness and remorse for her actions. She found it especially difficult to relate to the lives and experiences of other children, with whom she struggled to communicate.

Six months on, Furaha is feeling her way back into community life. She is still living with her loving foster family and is receiving regular counselling sessions. She has started to work part-time in a salon, putting into practice training she received from CRC staff in cutting, washing, and styling hair. She has also returned to school, with all of her fees paid for by the money raised for CRC. Furaha now dreams of completing her education, before starting a career as a hairdresser. Henri is still working to locate her family.

Furaha’s life has improved dramatically in the short time that she has returned to her community. She is receiving vital counselling, living in a safe, stable environment, and has been provided with the opportunity to shape her own future. However, for children like Furaha, the journey is far from over. CRC are not only committed to rescuing child soldiers, but also to their complete rehabilitation. This process is long, arduous, and riddled with complexities.

Thank you to everyone who has donated so far, every contribution to our cause will make a genuine difference to CRC’s work and to the lives of the children they tirelessly strive to help. Two weeks in, we are halfway to our target, so if you haven't had a chance to donate, please do.

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