These last two days have been very enlightening. We have met with World Vision, local DDR actors such as CAJED, CARITAS, UNICEF, UEPN-DR, ETN, and had the opportunity to meet MONUSCO Peacekeepers and to visit a Transit Centre for children that were associated with armed groups. I certainly do not want to bore any of you with candid details of all the meetings, however, it has been eye opening on many fronts. Firstly, the real lack of coordination on behalf of all the groups is so striking. So many people that are well intentioned, yet the efforts to manage results, outcomes and find gaps in programming and needs is deficient. Asking for statistics or even mere data collection is like pulling teeth. And, I get it, because just making it through the day is a task for anyone here. But we need to do more.
It was fantastic to sit down with MONUSCO officers today. Thank you to Leopold for making the connections for us and thank you to the officers for their hospitality. The soup was delicious! The insights provided by these officers was so beneficial to our work at the Child Soldiers Initiative and we are truly encouraged by the feedback received. The efforts by CIMIC are truly noteworthy and it is unfortunate that the world does not get to see such individual and collective efforts. Once again, the lack of coordination and dialogue between the NGOs and the PK troops showed how both are missing opportunities that could lead to real and sustainable solutions.
We then made our way to the CTO - a transit centre for children associated with armed groups. We had no idea what to expect as we entered the gate - were the reports and impressions given to us by others accurate? There was one security guard, unarmed and in plain clothes that allowed us in the gate with Pontien (UNICEF). As we entered the children naturally stared at us, the visitors. I made my way over to shake their hands and say hello. But both Tanya and I so desperately wanted to hug them. I fought back the tears as I thought about what these children have been through and will continue to go through for years to come. As we looked around there were children playing football, others sitting around, some washing their clothes, and others playing a game. There were approximately 60 children in the Centre and the majority looked like they were under 12. However, I know that looks can be deceiving as many are malnourished.
We had a very good discussion with Gilbert and Fidel, the Directors of the Centre. Towards the end of our discussion we asked, "What do you need most? What could Canadians send to you?". They responded that their basic needs and schooling materials are provided for by UNICEF, but that they could use sporting equipment, musical instruments, costumes for their dancing, and a television to play videos for the boys. We then toured the Centre, met more children, saw their artwork...some of which we are bringing back with us, and then saw the rabbits they keep. It was heartbreaking to see some of the children's eyes. Yet at the same time, it was so easy to see children and not soldiers. Their resiliency is amazing. The children only stay at the Centre for a maximum of 3 months and then are placed with their communities. How difficult it must be for them to know they may be going back to situations where they do not have food, clothing, or protection from being taken again by an armed group.
As I left I was reminded by the posters that hung in the MONUSCO office: "Once you start working on something, don't be afraid of failure and don't abandon it. People who work sincerely are the happiest."
A demain!
Shelly
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