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Child Soldiers

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Background Information: The military use of children takes three distinct forms: (1) children can take direct part in hostilities as child soldiers (2) they can be used in support roles such as porters, spies, messengers, or lookouts (3) they can be used for political advantage as human shields or in propaganda. All around the world, children have been taken and were forced to become soldiers. During the 1970s, there was an agreement between international leaders that the number of child soldiers was too large. They agreed the participation of children in the army was too extensive. As child soldiers they are forced to complete various tasks. These tasks can include killing or maiming family members. This creates destruction among communities …show more content…
I am one of the seven adult soldiers who works for Lord’s Resistance Army under the direction of Joseph Kony. My general job is to watch the children and make sure they don’t try to escape or do anything that they are not supposed to. Many people thought that putting children in camps and taking them away from family was a bad idea because of the conditions but for me I really agreed with that idea, and often times adults are taken too and we use them as guards.My main goal is to watch the children at all times, like when they go to find food because that would be a perfect time to escape. I also am suppose to make sure they follow by a huge list of rules. I find that children need to be able to find things on their own and be independent, and this is a great …show more content…
I lie awake at night with worry; worrying that the rebels are going to come and take me. I play scenarios of them abducting me in my head; some I win, and get away, others I lose, and get captured. Whenever I close my eyes, I hear screams and see blood shatter. I also see the night my sister was taken from me, from our community… I underestimated that cold, breezy night. The night had fallen fast upon the land. The dark colors engulfed the night sky; the chilly winds had a harsh bite. My body was full of goosebumps, I could feel the hairs on my arms raise and tingle. The sound of the wind blowing against the trees, sounded like footsteps. When I closed my eyes, the sound of footsteps got louder and closer. I realized they were footsteps; I clinched to my blanket, and scooted closer to my sister. Before I could warn her, she slipped away from my fingers and was in his arms. She was kicking and trying to scream, but couldn’t because his hand was over her mouth. The man glanced at me and put his finger over his mouth, as if he was telling me to be quiet. Before I could comprehend what happened, he was gone, and so was she… I vividly remember this night, and how I felt. I fear that one day that could be me. (M,

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