21 Child Soldiers Need Vital Help

Once they've been lured into militia life by the prospect of peace and security, vulnerable children from DRC can witness things that no child ever should. But thanks to your support, we are able to work with our local Congolese partner, Centre for Resolution Conflict (CRC), to rescue exploited children from armed groups, before helping them build the peaceful futures they dream of. This is the story of Blaise - a former child soldier turned caseworker for CRC:  

'During my childhood, my uncle was a commander in the Mai Mai Rwuenzei and when I was thirteen he initiated me into militia life. My mother and father were not happy about my involvement in the militia, but they could do little about this given the context we lived [in].'

‘I led a battalion within the militia of 800 men and children because of my uncle’s high position. I was also a commander, [and] I lead my battalion to do whatever my uncle and the other commanders asked (taking livestock, stealing, fighting other militias etc).'

‘I left when my militia fought another militia (the Katangai’s) and 30 of the men in my militia were killed. I realised how dangerous it was and that fighting is not the way to have a peaceful community. I also was still young and knew my future was not in the militia. I put myself in the shoes of the people I hurt and stole from as part of the militia and knew it was not right.' 

‘Because of [my] uncles high position, it was easy for me to leave. I was 15 when I left [the Mai Mai]. Once I left I understood that I had a calling inside me to help combatants out of the bush. After I left, I worked on DDR for the government and local NGOs, before joining CRC when I was 21.'

‘My role in CRC is to deal with the militia leaders. The first thing I do is meet them in the bush and build confidence with them. Most of them know who I am and my former position in the militia which means CRC can get to areas even MONUSCO and the government cannot as the militia leaders trust me because of my connections. I develop friendships with these leaders so that I can negotiate for the release of children and adult combatants.' 

‘Both child and adult negotiations are difficult. The challenge is that in the bush, the child is on the frontlines. [As such,] negotiations can last just a week or a couple of months. Often when you return to a militia leader after a conversation he will say "no discount the previous and go back to the start".'  

‘The ease of negotiations depends on the degree of motivation the militia leaders have. I am not scared because I have a good relationship with the militia leaders. I am passionate about fighting for peace.'

 ‘When I worked with the government I helped rescue 3,000 people from the bush. With CRC I have rescued 5,700 of which 1,500 have been children. 

With your support, we can continue to support peacebuilders like Blaise as they rescue child soldiers from the Congolese bush, and subsequently provide them with the basis for a peaceful and secure future.