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this page Newsletters - Children and War
Burundi
"What is the war?" asked a journalist in a children's broadcast.
"It is a monster which eats everything it meets on its way," replied a young boy.
"Why do you say so?" asked the journalist.
"Before, we did not live in this place. We left our home because people were flying the war. We are told that those who did not run away are no more. The war has eaten them. We cannot go in our village because it is still there. Everybody is afraid of it. Even my parents!"
Though childish, this definition has a certain truth in it. The war destroys everything. We have the experience in Burundi since 1993. The country has been destroyed: people, animals, buildings, forests, culture, to name but a few. The legendary hospitality is no more, the smile of children has disappeared, and even birds have migrated. Instead of joy and happiness, we read melancholy and fear on the faces of children. Traditionally, a child was looked after by everybody; today he is after by his relatives: no relative, no care.
During this war, children have been the most affected. Some have lost the most important thing in their lives: their parents. They became orphans deprived of love and affection. Teenagers became responsible for their families whereas they need also to be educated. Today we have 5,000 teenagers looking after their young brothers and sisters. Are they able to give suitable care? Of course, no.
Some children have assisted in the killing of their parents or relatives, and are now traumatised. They left their families and became street children. 65% of street children are traumatised. In the street, they develop unsuitable behaviour with all the effects: hunger, drugs, sexual abuse, pick-pocketing.
Generally, children are consumers and not producers. This is no more the case in Burundi. The majority of children � and especially orphans � have given up schools and found jobs to survive. Some are householders; others carry more luggage than they weigh themselves. What they get in return is not enough to cover their needs. The consequence is the increasing rate of child mortality, with children doomed to malnutrition, lack of health care, and shelter.
The problem is too important: none could remain insensible. The government, UNICEF, Churches and NGO's are working hard to save these children. We pray for the work to flourish and mainly for the end of the war. We call for help to save the future generation. Remember that our Lord told us: "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it for me." Matthew 25:40
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