Child Soldiers in Africa is a Documentary that is aired on Channel 4′s Unreported World Features. It traces the path that local peace builder Henri Ladyi follows to liberate child soldiers in the Congo from the clutches of warfare. The gist of the plot is on a dozen youngsters who are reformed by the work that Henri has set out to give a second chance in life. Henri is not your ordinary journeyman for he has previously rescued about 650 children – 400 of whom have been re united with their families. Henri’s modus operandi is to reform these children first by equipping for life by providing them with an education , and for those that are deemed to be mature to be taken through the formal school system Henri’s mode of operation seems to be to equip them with a life skills The 23 minute documentary follows the same beaten track.
Reviews
Child Soldiers in Africa runs the risk of being disparaged for following through the script that portrays Africa as a continent that is bereft of anything worth writing about except war, famine, and all sorts of tragedies. Secondly the fact that Henri – even though his is a sole individual venture – uses a mere 21 Pounds to liberate these children – by offering them this cash / or as it is its equivalent to start life on a fresh slate leaves the social critique confused. Indeed one is left wondering whether it is a gesture that Henri is attempting to pass on to the rest of the world, or really whether Henri is at his wits ends with regard to this miasma of a collapsing society that confronts him.
The article does not set out to denigrate the efforts of Henri; indeed he should be applauded for his valiant effort that sets out to correct such a dysfunctional unit. The documentary Child Soldiers in Africa is emotionally riveting for we leave through the lives of reformed children – Freddie the child solider who joined the army at a mere 6 years and was the units medicine man of sorts. Kalungu, and Mbila who recount how they were orphaned. Child Soldiers in Africa succeeds in forcefully raising an issue that the African continent seems to be unbothered about, Henri succeeds in doing so by using the power of cinematic art and this is the genius behind the documentary. For any one who loves current affairs, this Channel 4 documentary is a must watch.