Blog #1- Soldier Child (1998)

In class, we were shown the documentary "Soldier Child", released in 1998. Although this was an overwhelming amount of disturbing information to take in, it was extremely worthwhile to watch, and it has possibly touched the most out of any other documentary I've seen. This documentary is filmed at GUSCO- a rehabilitation center for former child soldiers that were lucky enough to be rescued or escaped. It features interviews with the GUSCO workers, parents of abductees, and former child soldiers themselves. GUSCO not only rescues the children, they give them medical attention, a place to stay, emotional and psychological help, and safe integration back into society- as well as tracking many children's parents down. Although GUSCO's efforts made me hopeful for this terrible situation that is taking place in these children's homeland, it also saddened me. Although I am grateful for the chance to be informed, I almost wish that I could remain ignorant to this terrible issue. When I first began watching this documentary, I was shocked by the children who were just being brought to the center. They didn't have at all the disposition that I would have expected from a child that was finally saved from such a terrible former situation. They seemed distrustful and weary. As I continued watching I realized that until they received trauma counseling for the things they had seen and done, many weren't even able to accept that they had been through any trauma. Once they knew they were safe and they had adjusted their surroundings they began to reflect on what had happened to them through drawing pictures. This made me realize how strong the children were- to just take everything in stride and move on to the next problem. They were emotionally resilient as a result of their training. This touched me, because this suppression of feelings is never something one should see in a child, no matter what the circumstance. There was one child with a particularly taking story, that of a child named Simon. Simon was only 11 years old when he was rescued, probably younger when he was abducted. He was immediately forced to witness two brutal murders, and threatened with the burning of his former village. He was then given a person to kill just using a hoe. While his story is immensely tragic and heartbreaking, what struck me the most was the child himself. While telling his story, he refused to show emotion. There were no tears, apart from a slightly choked voice. He kept his tone level, and never raised or lowered his volume. He rarely made eye contact with his translator and mostly stared off into the distance. This is not what a child should look like while telling a heartbreaking story. He never complains that its not fair, he doesn't whine or pout. Simon may only be eleven years old, but he is not a child. His childhood was taken from him by the rebels, and he is left a boy who has witnessed more than should ever be subjected to a man.