‘I’ve killed so many people, I’ve lost count’: South Sudan’s child soldiers search for a life after war

Moses Obama, 17, was living in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, when war broke out in 2016. “Despite heroic efforts by Unicef and others on the ground who provide help and safety on tight budgets to recently released children, there are still tens of thousands of children as we speak that need to access programmes but cannot, because there simply isn’t funding available.” Appropriate psychological care, healthcare and education are vital for the reintegration of children affected by war, she says. Education is a casualty of the armed conflict not just for child soldiers, but for children all over South Sudan. open image in gallery Kennedy was denied a normal childhood and instead became a witness to violence, torture and death in war Another foundation helping fragile communities affected by conflict transform to become peaceful, resilient and productive is the Whitaker Peace and Development Initiative. I care about it deeply, and to have the ability to help eliminate pain, conflict and violence is a privilege.” In South Sudan and Uganda, Peic supports WPDI’s Youth Peacemakers Network programme to empower and mobilise young people to become effective leaders and advocates in their communities.