The programme for child soldiers was started in 2001 in the city of Cali, in Colombia, when the national Government was looking for a solution to the problem of children whose background was the experience of fighting with the guerrillas or paramilitaries. At that time the Salesians were the first to attempt to solve the problem and take on the responsbility for educating and training these boys and girls who did not want to stay with the armed groups any longer.
Ten years later many of these youngsters have found their rightful place in society, in some business concern, finding self employment, or working themselves teaching those escaping from the armed conflicts. At present 20 of them are following a university technical course, and for this reason Lorena and Edwin went to Europe, accompanied by Fr German Londoño, Rector of the Salesian centre in Cali, to talk about their aims for society and their desire to become professionally qualified after having successfully ovecome their previous experience.
Lorena, who is now studying accounting told the young people in a Swiss Institute: “Just as I experienced the horrors of war I now want to be a symbol of peace. And peace is built by bringing something new to society; so by studying for a univeristy qualification I am not only developing my own personal potential, but also a mature commitment to re-building peace. It is my hope that many young people freed from the war will be able to pursue university studies and also change my country.”
Edwin, who is doing higher studies wants to be a good teacher of children who were once soldiers: “the most important thing in life is to give the best that is to be found in every human being, and I want to help all the other young people who get away from the war to have a better future and to commit themselves to childrens’ rights”.
After ten years of the work of the Salesians with child soldiers, the Project has new aims and objectives which can be considered an educational success story. Following the style of Don Bosco, the youngsters have come to understand very well the motto “Good Christians and upright citizens.”
Published 28/04/2011
