| During the last decade, all warring factions in Sierra Leone have enlisted children - and we mean here as young as 12 and up - in their ranks. Furthermore, thousands have been abducted by the rebel of RUF (Revolutionary United Front) and forcibly kept in the bush while being trained first and then successfully exploited as combatants or slave workers. The same happened for young girls who were abducted, often raped and lived sometimes for years serving as sexual slaves or "married" to self-appointed RUF commanders. Now, and since a few months, an increasing number of these children are being released or succeed in escaping the brutal ruling of the rebels. As soon as whatever "release" is noticed, UNICEF - which estimates conflict in Sierra Leone has generated at least 5000 children soldiers, does its outmost to bring these children to Freetown, where a few organizations - notably COOPI, italian, Milan-based NGO, and FHM (Family House Movement) a relief charity run by 68 years old Father Berton and Rev. Chema Caballero., who helped more than 1300 children since their debut in 1997. These children - who have sometimes spent as long as 5 - 6 years in the bush - get sheltered and undergo a rehabilitation / reeducation program which can last up to months. They get through schooling schedule whose goal is to upgrade them at least to a normal-to-their age school level. Girls, in huge majority carrying babies or who just delivered one, are taught soap-making or hairdressing which makes them a little bit more skilled and job - capable. The final step is accomplished when these children get back to their villages and their families, as soon as any is found available. |
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| 56143 Former combatant child |
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56173 This girl, portrayed here in Calaba Town, has delivered her baby 6 months before, naming him Giovanni, after Giovanni Cozio, COOPI senior manager
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56084 Ready to go back home (every child is provided sort of a gift-bag with a few essentials as clothes and a folding mattress)
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| 56103 |
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| 56068 Dancing at a wedding party in St. Michael center |
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| 56080 Looking forward to the landing of the helicopter who will bring these children back home |
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| 56085 COOPI center in Calaba Town (Freetown). Several children bear yet the marks of wounds inflicted inflicted often purposedly by their captors, sometimes to deposit drugs in subcutaneous tissues and hence make them addicted. |
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56177 9 months pregnant, 17 years old girl in Calaba Town COOPI center
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| 56275 Paramilitary groups - here, West Side Boys - still have teenagers in their ranks |
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| 56077 Former combatant child in YMCA COOPI center, Lakka |
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| 56063 |
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| 56134 |
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56170
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| 56406 Matteo Frontini (COOPI project officer, in white, foreground) just before taking off with an helicopter shuttling back several children to their families in Bo. |
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| 56129 |
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| 56176 The youngest host in Calaba Town COOPI center, just sixteen |
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| 56090 COOPI center in Calaba Town (Freetown) |
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56132
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| 56116 Father Berton, italian, with a few of his children in Lakka (Freetown), where he runs his own charity, St. Michael Children's Welcome Center. Here, he has hosted more than 1300 children, mostly rescued from the "bush", since 1997 |
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| 56097 Primary school - level lessons in Calaba Town center for former combatant children (COOPI) |
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