"How To Bring Child Soldiers Back into Society" with Johnson Bohr
Many of you have likely seen the movie Blood Diamond and are familiar with the concept of child soldiers that were recruited to fight in various wars in Africa. Have you ever wondered what happens to these kids when the war is over? How do they go back and interact with their community, their parents, their neighbors? There is a very powerful scene near the end of the movie, The lead character, Solomon and the role played by Leonardo Decaprio are digging up a diamond they had hidden for most of the story, and one they pull it out, A young boy, no more than fourteen shows up with a gun, aiming it at them. It is solomans son, who had been taken and recruited into the war several years before, but he has been hardened by the atrocities and brain washing he has experienced. Soloman looks at him and says “Dia, what are you doing?” What are you doing? Look at me? You are dia vandy of the proud mende tribe. You are a good boy who loves soccer and school. Your mother loves you so much. SHe waits by the fire making plantains and red stew with your sister and the new baby, the cows wait for you and the wild dog wants no one but you. I know they made you do bad things but you are not a bad boy. I am your father who loves you, and you will come home with me and be my son again. Both are crying, and then they embrace. Its a very powerful scene.
So Obviously, it is a very hard adjustment for most of them. The death and destruction they have not only seen but been an active part of, starting sometimes as early as age 12, a well as the ruthless independence they were given, set them on a path that makes society reintroduction very challenging for both sides. But wat if I told you there was a program specifically designed to make this reintroduction far easier? What if I were to tell you that this program actually gave cash and therapy to these drug-using former child soldier criminals, and it was proven to be a highly effective way to improve their lives and break their cycle of crime and poverty? Today’s episode is a fascinating story that is centered around an evidence based and cost effective method at doing exactly this. To tell this story, I called on my new friend Klumosumo Johnson Bohr, who goes by just Johnson Bohr. He has pioneered one of these programs for years, and is now being used in multiple locations across the globe. Alright, enough from me, let's go meet the man himself!
LINKS
https://www.nepiliberia.org/
"How To Bring Child Soldiers Back into Society" with Johnson Bohr
Many of you have likely seen the movie Blood Diamond and are familiar with the concept of child soldiers that were recruited to fight in various wars in Africa. Have you ever wondered what happens to these kids when the war is over? How do they go back and interact with their community, their parents, their neighbors? There is a very powerful scene near the end of the movie, The lead character, Solomon and the role played by Leonardo Decaprio are digging up a diamond they had hidden for most of the story, and one they pull it out, A young boy, no more than fourteen shows up with a gun, aiming it at them. It is solomans son, who had been taken and recruited into the war several years before, but he has been hardened by the atrocities and brain washing he has experienced. Soloman looks at him and says “Dia, what are you doing?” What are you doing? Look at me? You are dia vandy of the proud mende tribe. You are a good boy who loves soccer and school. Your mother loves you so much. SHe waits by the fire making plantains and red stew with your sister and the new baby, the cows wait for you and the wild dog wants no one but you. I know they made you do bad things but you are not a bad boy. I am your father who loves you, and you will come home with me and be my son again. Both are crying, and then they embrace. Its a very powerful scene.
So Obviously, it is a very hard adjustment for most of them. The death and destruction they have not only seen but been an active part of, starting sometimes as early as age 12, a well as the ruthless independence they were given, set them on a path that makes society reintroduction very challenging for both sides. But wat if I told you there was a program specifically designed to make this reintroduction far easier? What if I were to tell you that this program actually gave cash and therapy to these drug-using former child soldier criminals, and it was proven to be a highly effective way to improve their lives and break their cycle of crime and poverty? Today’s episode is a fascinating story that is centered around an evidence based and cost effective method at doing exactly this. To tell this story, I called on my new friend Klumosumo Johnson Bohr, who goes by just Johnson Bohr. He has pioneered one of these programs for years, and is now being used in multiple locations across the globe. Alright, enough from me, let's go meet the man himself!
LINKS
https://www.nepiliberia.org/