"You are the enemy."
So last weekend, I went out with some friends to check out Blood Diamond. All I gotta say is that is one well-made film. And I know the main focus of the film is on conflict diamonds, but they also raised some extremely heartbreaking issues about child soldiers.
I work in a daycare. I interact with 50 - 60 kids on a weekly basis. I'm taking Family Studies classes at UBC. I'm hoping that one day, I'll be able to raise my own little family. But just to see the scenes that they showed in that movie... is devastating.
I don't want to ruin the film for anyone because it is a great film and I think a lot of people would love to see it, but just so you know! THERE'S A SPOILIER (kind of) BELOW!
To see a child hold a gun to his own father's head, screaming, "YOU ARE THE ENEMY. TRAITOR!" is terrifying. To see the way the RUF tore this kids away from their family and to completely brainwash them into growing up and into killing... that's just disgusting. It makes me sick to my stomache to know that something like this is happening in our world. Even today! I know there's a lot of progress on this issue since a decade ago, but there are still 200,000 child soldiers out there, if I'm not mistaken in my research.
Anyway, after seeing that play out, I decided I was gonna try and raise some awareness and some funds for the issue. Especially among youth. I still consider myself a bit of a youth (I don't turn 20 until May) and so I still feel a bit of a responsibility as "the next generation". I think just too many kids my age (myself included) don't realize sometimes how LUCKY we are to be here. And just how much is going on outside of our little world. Who decided that I got be healthy and safe, with all the opportunities in the world lying at my feet? Why wasn't I the one stuck in a war-torn country, living from day to day? I think I know who it is and He's challenging me right now.
So since Youth Week is coming up (the first week of May 2007), I'm gonna try and organize a sort of benefit concert as a part of that event here in Richmond, with the proceeds going towards an organization that deals directly with child soldiers and youth populations that are affected by war. I guess I'll keep you guys updated on how that goes, eh?
Good for you! I feel
Good for you! I feel the same way about being so fortunate to be a woman born in North America, rather than in other parts of the world; such as various countries in Africa. I had the same thoughts when I saw Hotel Rwanda and felt compelled to help. What I did, is create an Association, called Women Helping Women.
We raise funds at a grassroots level - yard sales, selling clothes at consigment stores, selling 'cause' bracelets for $2 donations, etc. And we are focusing our efforts on helping one family from Uganda. They really have lived through the kind of hell we here, in Canada, can barely imagine. We have worked for almost 4 years to bring 5 teenagers in Uganda to Vancouver to live here with their mom. Our efforts have finally paid off and the kids will arrive here on Feb 15th. (see Sharryn's blog) I'm happy to share information so feel free to email me.
I encourage you to stay involved with your plan to help those child soldiers. Get your friends involved too. You CAN make a difference. You have already begun, by making the decision to follow what your heart is telling you.
Please do keep us updated on your efforts.