A former child soldier describes how when he was 13 years old, rebels came to his village and killed his older brother for refusing to join their militia. They then asked him to sign up, and feeling he had no choice, he did so in order to avoid being killed as well. He was forced to commit violent acts as a child soldier for years.

1. "When they came to my
village, they asked my older brother
whether he was ready to join the
militia. He was just 17 and he said
no; they shot him in the head. Then
they asked me if I was ready to
By Zack Ossit sign, so what could I do - I didn't
want to die." A former child soldier
taken when he was 13.

2.  A child associated with an armed force or armed group
refers to any person below 18 years of age who is or who
has been recruited or used by an armed force or armed
group in any capacity, including but not limited to
children, boys and girls, used as
fighters, cooks, porters, spies or for sexual purposes. It
does not only refer to a child who is taking or has taken a
direct part in hostilities. (The Principles and Guidelines on
Children Associated with Armed Forces or Armed
Groups (Paris Principles), February 2007).

3.  It happens throughout the world, mainly in Africa
 Other areas include Asia, Latin America, Europe and
the Middle East

4.  Africa has the most critical problem with child
soldiers
 Children as young as 9 have been involved
with armed conflicts in many African
countries.

5.  Most of the time children are forced to be
soldiers.
 Many children are faced with the option to kill
or be killed.
 Some children join militias to avenge other
attacks on their village.

6.  Many girls also join to escape forced
marriages and bad home lives.
 Poverty and lack of education is also a main
cause.
 Most children are forced into local militias.
 Civil War
 Militia rebels look to inflict fear in civilians of
the other local villages.

7.  In 2003, more than 500,000 children under
the age of 18, in more than 85 countries
worldwide were recruited into government
armies or militias.
 Of those 500,000…300,000 actually were
actively involved with armed forces.
 8,000 children are believed to be serving in
local Afghanistan police forces.

8.  Females who are orphans or unaccompanied
by adults are often targeted.
 Many are raped or sexually assaulted.
 Psychological Trauma
 STD’s
 Unwanted Pregnancies
 Often are social outcasts.

9.  Women child soldiers are often taken to carry
ammunition, and to be raped by members of
other militias.
 Many children are addicted to many drugs like
brown brown (a mix of cocaine and gun powder),
marijuana, and cocaine.
 Children are often brainwashed by their captors.
 Children often witness family and friends killed,
they were forced to rape other men and women.

10.  Program established in many war-torn
countries, that take child soldiers from local
militias and groom them to become positive
factors in society.
 This program lacks funds, causing many of
these sights to close down, and not be factors
in many countries.

11.  Child Soldiers Global Report in 2008 said that the following
countries used child soldiers between 2004-2007
 Chad
 Democratic Republic of Congo
 Israel
 Myanmar
 Somalia
 Sudan & Southern Sudan
 Uganda
 Yemen
 Countries below use child soldiers to loot, and commit crimes
against civilians
 Columbia
 Iran
 Sri Lanka

12.  In 2007, as many as 26 countries recruited 16 year old
and 17 year old boys into their peacetime armies.
 Australia
 Austria
 Bangladesh
 Canada
 Cuba
 Democratic Republic of Congo
 Myanmar
 Netherlands
 Russia
 United Kingdom
 USA

13.  Former Sierra Leonean child soldier.
 Wrote the book, A Long Way Gone: Memoirs
Of a Boy Soldier
 Human rights activist for Child Soldiers.

14.  Participate in Red Hand Day
 Send letters to high ranking officials in
governments of countries that still use child
soldiers.
 Speak out against this madness
Red Hand Day, in Geneva.

15.  Started in 2002
 This project has collected over 350,000 Red
Hands from all over the world.
 Over 40 countries worldwide
participate.
 February 12 is Red Hand Day
Don’t let the children die for
you-They are the future!
Rahel Fuchs
Schliez, Germany

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she was raped repeatedly in the base."

17. "I would like you to give a
message. Please do your best
to tell the world what is
happening to us, the children.
So that other children don't
have to pass through this
violence.“ -Unkown