ALWG Child Soldiers

Revolutionary United Front & Child Soldiers

Turn in homework Permission slips!! Get out your journal & ALWG Notes

In chapter 10, 3 cultural traditions are discussed: the story of Bra Spider, Beah’s naming ceremony, and the burial of Saidu.

What happens to cultural traditions during wartime? Why are these important to Beah?

Beah goes through a significant transition in this chapter. What state of mind is he at in the beginning, middle, and end of the chapter?

Fought and lost an 11 year war in Sierra Leone

Civil War from 1991-2002 Did not openly support Marxism, leftist

(liberal) movements, nationalism, or fascism Transformed into a political party in 2007 Surviving RUF leaders were committed of

war crimes against humanity in 2009

“No more slaves, no more masters, power and wealth to the people.”

Estimated 10,000 child soldiers participated in the war.

What are child soldiers? Internationally agreed definition – armed forces below age of 18

Targeted children ages 8-12; as young as 5 Used on front lines, participate in suicide

missions, and act as spies, messengers, lookouts, cooks, or sexual service

Both boys and girls are “recruited”

Recall our discussion yesterday about Beah’s state of mind at the end of chapter 11. How did these events make Beah more vulnerable to becoming a child soldier? Discuss the tactics the Lieutenant uses to “recruit” young refugees.

Since 2000 nearly every armed conflict in every region of the world has had reports of participant child soldiers

2/3 world states recognize and ban under 18 military service

Child-soldier.org high risk locations:

Chad

Democratic Republic of Congo

Myanmar

Thailand

United Kingdom (Voluntary Recruitment at 16)

Common branding and disfigurement used to mark soldiers

Used amputations and rituals of betting and violence Physical Control (Miners and voters) Intimidation & Reputation Training or Initiation

"You don't hold your weapon against your brother."

Children are seen as Expendable plentiful cheap to maintain easily indoctrinated

Indoctrination: to teach (someone) to fully accept the ideas, opinions, and beliefs of a particular group and to not consider other ideas, opinions, and beliefs

“Some of you are here because they have killed your parents or families, others because this is a safe place to be. Well, it is not that safe anymore. That is why we need strong men and boys to help us fight these guys, so that we can keep this village safe…This is your time to revenge the deaths of your families and to make sure more children do not lose their families” (106).

Logos? Ethos? Pathos? Why?

After reading chapter 13-14, let’s look back to chapter 12:

Who do you believe killed the man and the boy who decided to leave the village? Was it the rebels or the soldiers, in order to make a point?

Why would the Lieutenant lie? Think about our themes we have been

working with.

Describe the transformation that happens to Beah on pages 118-120. Is he experiencing war as he did in the earlier chapters? Explain. Write a well developed response to the question

above (1-2 paragraphs) Find 1-2 quotations to include in your response (you

may use your quote banks) It does not have to be a TBEAR paragraph but it is

always good to practice!