Michael ChislettEnglish Language Arts, Ms. Ezekiel8-8

Empty(Speechless Research Project)

What Is A Child Soldier?

A child soldier is any child under the age of 18 that is recruited (forced) to join armed forces or rebel groups and made to work as a soldier, slave, or even, suicide bombers. Many of these kids are under the age of 10.

In 2011, 12 countries were found guilty of using child soldiers. Two years later, the number rose to 25. More countries are still suspected of this crime.

Map Updated As Of 2001

The Majority of children that join armed forces are there because of social or economic pressure. They also believe that the army will provide food and security.

Not just boys are used as child soldiers. In countries like Uganda, at least a third of the child soldiers are girls. In most cases, the girls are raped, or given to the commanders to be used as “wives”.

So What Can You Do?

You can do something as simple as donating a dollar to Peace Direct, a company that is devoted to helping people in third world countries. They help people such as child soldiers, the homeless, and women who have lost all their rights.

You can make posters and put them up all around your school. This creates awareness. The more people that know about the issue, the better the chance something will get done about it!

A Poster Made By Amnesty International

Go out to Walmart and buy a 20 dollar album by a band that sends proceeds to worldly organizations. Something like the album “Enfants soldats d'ici et d'ailleurs”. They send all profits to two organizations dedicated to stopping the use of child soldiers.

It's not just helping the cause, it's also a sweet jam!

Want More Info?Please check out peacedirect.org for more information on this horrific topic and other ways for you to help!

ConclusionPersonally, I find this topic terrifying. It makes me sick thinking about kids my age (and even younger) being forced to fight and live in harsh conditions. I also know that these kids are no longer at the point where they care anymore. The horrid sights and experiences they went through have eaten their souls to the point where they, are completely empty. If you look into their eyes, you can tell, that there is noting left to these poor children.

In this final plead for help, I am asking you to please, reach out and give something- acknowledgement, recognition, a dollar, or even a conversation about this issue to help it come to an end. Awareness, is key

No More Child Soldiers

Credits and Sourceshttp://www.unicef.org/sowc96/2csoldrs.htm http://www.dosomething.org/facts/11-facts-about-child-soldiers http://www.peacedirect.org/ http://www.hrw.org/news/2008/12/03/facts-about-child-soldiers http://www.culturesofresistance.org/end-child-soldiers https://www.google.com/imghp?gws_rd=ssl

“It always seems impossible until it’s done.”

~Nelson Mandela