From Child to Solider and Back Again

Earlier this week, Radio Miraya’s Felix Francis Kate interviewed Catherine Onkware, manager of CMMB’s child protection program in Yambio, South Sudan. Catherine and the team work to support and reintegrate former child soldiers back with their families and communities.

Catherine and her team’s work is essential. They are responsible for case management after children are released from armed groups— every child is assigned a social worker to monitor their reintegration and progress. Social workers conduct home visits and develop a joint plan of action with the child and the family to help meet identified needs. This includes referring the child to various agencies that provide the specific required services – including nutrition, education, psycho-social services, and livelihood and vocational training.

Catherine and her team provide counseling, follow-up visits, and ensure children are connected to the various services required both within CMMB and through other local partners. CMMB works closely with the South Sudanese Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Commission (DDR), Ministry of Education, Gender and Social Welfare, UNICEF, UNMISS, World Food Program, Food and Agricultural Organization, and World Vision to support former child soldiers from the moment of release to their reunification and reintegration into communities.

“They Have Dreams and Hopes for Peace.”

Child soldiers facebook campaign

When asked why she chose this line of work, Catherine said:

“It breaks my heart to know that in South Sudan there are malnourished children, sexually and physically abused children. It breaks my heart that children have lost parents in war, and often their childhood and its beautiful, joyful innocence. Just like any other child in the world, the children I work with here in South Sudan have dreams and hopes for a life of peace.

It’s painful to watch children die because of human actions that could and should be avoided. The moment a child is affected by any of these atrocities, I am there to support where I can.  I desire and look forward to the day when children feel more protected and valued, even in the toughest moments.”

More than 19,000 children in South Sudan are still being used by armed groups. 

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Radio Miraya

A special thank you to Radio Miraya for covering this important work. Radio Miraya is a United Nations radio station in South Sudan owned and run by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).