21 Child Soldiers Need Vital Help

Josephine lived a violent lifestyle before our local partner in Northern DRC, Centre Résolution Conflits [CRC], helped her to begin living a life away from violence. She now lives safely and securely, and helps former child soldiers to do the same. This is his story.

Josephine lived on a farm in the town of Butembo before her land was seized and her husband murdered by a rebel militia.

Angry, afraid and seeking revenge, she soon joined a rival group and spent 6 years fighting for them in the bush. But when they began recruiting children into their ranks, Josephine knew that she had to escape.

She did, and soon joined CRC. They helped her to begin building a life away from violence, providing her with skills and livelihood trainings.

Josephine now works as a liaison between militias, and negotiates the release of child soldiers using her specialist knowledge acquired from years in the field. Her home functions as a half-way house for former child soldiers, who - following months of work and skills-training - she ensures are safely integrated back into their communities with the chance at a new job and better life.

Without the bravery of women like Josephine, the future might not look so peaceful for these children.

By donating to this project, you are helping women like Josephine contribute towards the health, safety, and peacefulness of their communities. A further donation of just £15 pounds today could pay for CRC to meet with rebel groups and identify child soldiers, whilst a generous donation of £60 could pay for an at risk child to learn a trade (such as hairdressing or brick-making) which could dissuade them from joining a militia group. With your support, we can provide more opportunities to vulnerable children in DRC, and continue to build peace in their communities. Thank you.