The document discusses the issue of child soldiers in Sierra Leone. It describes how the Revolutionary United Front recruited children as young as 5 years old to fight in the country's civil war during the 1990s. Many children were kidnapped and forced to commit violent acts, becoming addicted to drugs and suffering long-term physical and psychological trauma. While international organizations have attempted rehabilitation programs, many former child soldiers continue to struggle with reintegration into society due to the lack of support systems and job opportunities.

1. Child Soldiers in Sierra Leone

2. Sierra Leone is a country on the coast of West Africa. Image used under a CC license from http://www.flickr.com/photos/adamcohn/3457201916/

3. Despite being full of diamonds, the average wage of a person in Sierra Leone is $0.20.Image used under a CC license from http://www.flickr.com/photos/selva/8954116/

4. Discontentment creates rebellion. Image used under a CC license from http://www.flickr.com/photos/furryscalyman/1132299063/sizes/o/

5. The Revolutionary United Front was created in 1991. Image used under a CC license from http://www.flickr.com/photos/hdptcar/949798984/

6. The average life expectancy in Sierra Leone is about 26 years.Image used under a CC license from http://www.flickr.com/photos/mugley/2592160631/

7. Weapons today are so light that even children can use them.Image used under a CC license from http://www.flickr.com/photos/zomgitsbrian/3590665627/

8. Cheap Labor Image used under a CC license from http://www.flickr.com/photos/neogabox/2996150438/

9. Kidnapped.Image used under a CC license from http://www.flickr.com/photos/yannisag/3091432396/

10. But they also volunteer…Image used under a CC license from http://www.flickr.com/photos/rg-b/3464493557/

11. Image used under a CC license from http://www.flickr.com/photos/23056599@N00/98795072/

12. Unfortunately, they were in for a nasty surprise.Image used under a CC license from http://www.flickr.com/photos/toby_d1/2902863846/

13. DrugsImage used under a CC license from http://www.flickr.com/photos/fixe/2822032314/

14. AbuseImage used under a CC license from http://www.flickr.com/photos/macnolete/2599959533/

15. MutilationImage used under a CC license from http://www.flickr.com/photos/xclockwise/520742585/

16. ViolenceImage used under a CC license from http://www.flickr.com/photos/johncarleton/12287015/

17. HauntedImage used under a CC license from http://www.flickr.com/photos/h-k-d/2867780491/

18. Their lives are not made easier by the obstacles they encounter once they leave the army.Image used under a CC license from http://www.flickr.com/photos/denismessie/2711216214/

19. Love is hard to attain for the veteran children.Image used under a CC license from http://www.flickr.com/photos/h-k-d/4110421350/

20. These scarred children will often turn violent.Image used under a CC license from http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmferraz/2288063570/

21. It is hard to find a job when all you have known is killing.Image used under a CC license from http://www.flickr.com/photos/oliverlavery/126744877/

22. EducationImage used under a CC license from http://www.flickr.com/photos/lel4nd/3838634535/

23. AddictionImage used under a CC license from http://www.flickr.com/photos/didmyself/4055663649/

24. Doctors are scarce.Image used under a CC license from http://www.flickr.com/photos/esaldivar/2026486472/

25. There is hope.Image used under a CC license from http://www.flickr.com/photos/hikari27/4158063812/sizes/o/

26. Amnesty InternationalThe United Nations The Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers Image used under a CC license from http://www.flickr.com/photos/juberphoto/3191461515/

27. FoodImage used under a CC license from http://www.flickr.com/photos/darwinbell/387755335/

28. TherapyImage used under a CC license from http://www.flickr.com/photos/shellysblogger/2440410866/

29. EducationImage used under a CC license from http://www.flickr.com/photos/benmcleod/47169667/

30. Vocational TrainingImage used under a CC license from http://www.flickr.com/photos/buhugu/2478112530/

31. But they’re still trapped…Image used under a CC license from http://www.flickr.com/photos/restless_mind/865221336/

32. These many of these children kill before they are even able to ride a bike. Image used under a CC license from http://www.flickr.com/photos/sidewalk_flying/3533042414/

33. They have killed friends and family.Image used under a CC license from http://www.flickr.com/photos/pinksherbet/3212680093/

34. They are stuck with disabilities for the rest of their lives.Image used under a CC license from http://www.flickr.com/photos/cambodiatrust/857149511/

35. It is an endless and vicious cycle.,Image used under a CC license from http://www.flickr.com/photos/lightplay/4046350283/

36. Image used under a CC license from http://www.flickr.com/photos/dyanna/2809325401/

37. It is not their war.Image used under a CC license from http://www.flickr.com/photos/julien_harneis/3027390989/

38. BibliographyAcosta, Yvonne. “Face to face with former child soldiers--and hope: Messenger of Peace Michael Douglas visits Sierra Leone.” UN Chronicle 1 July 2003: n. pag. Global Issues in Context. Web. 22 Oct. 2009. <http://find.galegroup.com//‌retrieve.do?contentSet=IAC-Documents&sort=DateDescend&tabID=T003&searchId=R13&docId=A105657557&prodId=GIC&currentPosition=2&userGroupName=cant48040&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&sgHitCountType=None&qrySerId=Locale%28en%2CUS%2C%29%3AFQE%3D%28PI%2CNone%2C5%29C0148%3AAnd%3AFQE%3D%28TX%2CNone%2C8%29children%3AAnd%3ALQE%3D%28LU%2CNone%2C29%29%22Sierra+Leone%7Cchild+Soldiers%22%24&inPS=true&searchType=&docId=A105657557&docType=IAC>.Cohn, Ilene. “The protection of children and the quest for truth and justice in Sierra Leone.” Journal of International Affairs 22 Sept. 2001: n. pag. Global Issues in Context. Web. 22 Oct. 2009. <http://find.galegroup.com//.do?contentSet=IAC-Documents&sort=DateDescend&tabID=T002&searchId=R12&docId=A79830566&prodId=GIC&currentPosition=1&userGroupName=cant48040&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&sgHitCountType=None&qrySerId=Locale%28en%2CUS%2C%29%3AFQE%3D%28PI%2CNone%2C5%29C0148%3AAnd%3AFQE%3D%28TX%2CNone%2C8%29children%3AAnd%3ALQE%3D%28LU%2CNone%2C38%29%22Sierra+Leone%7Ccrimes+Against+Humanity%22%24&inPS=true&searchType=&docId=A79830566&docType=IAC>.“Court convicts over child soldiers.” New Internationalist 1 Sept. 2007: n. pag. Global Issues in Context. Web. 22 Oct. 2009. <http://find.galegroup.com//‌retrieve.do?contentSet=IAC-Documents&sort=DateDescend&tabID=T003&searchId=R13&docId=A169468123&prodId=GIC&currentPosition=1&userGroupName=cant48040&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&sgHitCountType=None&qrySerId=Locale%28en%2CUS%2C%29%3AFQE%3D%28PI%2CNone%2C5%29C0148%3AAnd%3AFQE%3D%28TX%2CNone%2C8%29children%3AAnd%3ALQE%3D%28LU%2CNone%2C29%29%22Sierra+Leone%7Cchild+Soldiers%22%24&inPS=true&searchType=&docId=A169468123&docType=IAC>.Herbert, Wray. “The Children of War.” U.S. News & World Report 20 Dec. 2004: n. pag. Global Issues in Context. Web. 23 Oct. 2009. <http://find.galegroup.com//‌retrieve.do?contentSet=GREF&sort=Relevance&tabID=T006&c=FT&searchId=R7&docId=CP3208510087&prodId=GIC&currentPosition=1&userGroupName=cant48040&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&sgHitCountType=None&qrySerId=Locale%28en%2CUS%2C%29%3AFQE%3D%28PI%2CNone%2C5%29G1030%24&inPS=true&searchType=&docId=A126091948&docType=IAC>.

39. Bibliography part 2“International Efforts Still Failing Child Soldiers [press release].” Africa News Service 20 May 2008: n. pag. Global Issues in Context. Web. 23 Oct. 2009. <http://find.galegroup.com//‌retrieve.do?contentSet=GREF&sort=Relevance&tabID=T006&c=FT&searchId=R7&docId=CP3208510086&prodId=GIC&currentPosition=4&userGroupName=cant48040&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&sgHitCountType=None&qrySerId=Locale%28en%2CUS%2C%29%3AFQE%3D%28PI%2CNone%2C5%29G1030%24&inPS=true&searchType=&docId=A179218351&docType=IAC>.Lyon, Alynna J. “History Behind the Headlines: The Origins of Conflicts Worldwide.” Global Issues in Context. Gale, 2002. Web. 23 Oct. 2009. <http://find.galegroup.com//‌retrieve.do?contentSet=EBKS&sort=Relevance&tabID=T001&searchId=R7&docId=CX3410600139&prodId=GIC&currentPosition=1&userGroupName=cant48040&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&sgHitCountType=None&qrySerId=Locale%28en%2CUS%2C%29%3AFQE%3D%28PI%2CNone%2C5%29G1030%24&inPS=true&searchType=&docId=CX3410600139&docType=EBKS>.Onishi, Norimitsu. “Children of war in Sierra Leone try to start over.” The New York Times 9 May 2002: n. pag. Global Issues in Context. Web. 22 Oct. 2009. <http://find.galegroup.com//‌retrieve.do?contentSet=IAC-Documents&sort=DateDescend&tabID=T004&searchId=R13&docId=A85589734&prodId=GIC&currentPosition=1&userGroupName=cant48040&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&sgHitCountType=None&qrySerId=Locale%28en%2CUS%2C%29%3AFQE%3D%28PI%2CNone%2C5%29C0148%3AAnd%3AFQE%3D%28TX%2CNone%2C8%29children%3AAnd%3ALQE%3D%28LU%2CNone%2C29%29%22Sierra+Leone%7Cchild+Soldiers%22%24&inPS=true&searchType=&docId=A85589734&docType=IAC>.Peddle, Nancy. “National Kids in Distress project.(aid project for Sierra Leone’ youth).” UN Chronicle 22 Mar. 1998: n. pag. Abstract. Global Issues in Context. Web. 22 Oct. 2009. <http://find.galegroup.com//‌retrieve.do?contentSet=IAC-Documents&sort=DateDescend&tabID=T003&searchId=R9&docId=A54259230&prodId=GIC&currentPosition=1&userGroupName=cant48040&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&sgHitCountType=None&qrySerId=Locale%28en%2CUS%2C%29%3AFQE%3D%28PI%2CNone%2C5%29C0148%3AAnd%3AFQE%3D%28TX%2CNone%2C8%29children%3AAnd%3ALQE%3D%28LU%2CNone%2C44%29%22Sierra+Leone%7Cchildhood+Stress+%28Psychology%29%22%24&inPS=true&searchType=&docId=A54259230&docType=IAC>.Peters, Krijn, and Paul Richards. “’Why we fight’: voices of youth combatants in Sierra Leone. (includes interviews with combatants).” Africa 22 Mar. 1998: n. pag. Global Issues in Context. Web. 22 Oct. 2009. <http://find.galegroup.com//‌retrieve.do?contentSet=IAC-Documents&sort=DateDescend&tabID=T002&searchId=R13&docId=A21115291&prodId=GIC&currentPosition=1&userGroupName=cant48040&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&sgHitCountType=None&qrySerId=Locale%28en%2CUS%2C%29>.Rutsch, Horst. “First Child Soldiers Released.(Sierra Leone)(Brief Article).” UN Chronicle 22 July 2000G: n. pag. Abstract. Global Issues in Context. Web. 22 Oct. 2009. <http://find.galegroup.com//‌retrieve.do?contentSet=IAC-Documents&sort=DateDescend&tabID=T003&searchId=R13&docId=A66579852&prodId=GIC&currentPosition=3&userGroupName=cant48040&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&sgHitCountType=None&qrySerId=Locale%28en%2CUS%2C%29%3AFQE%3D%28PI%2CNone%2C5%29C0148%3AAnd%3AFQE%3D%28TX%2CNone%2C8%29children%3AAnd%3ALQE%3D%28LU%2CNone%2C29%29%22Sierra+Leone%7Cchild+Soldiers%22%24&inPS=true&searchType=&docId=A66579852&docType=IAC>.