Beyond Schoolbooks 21: Sudan Child Soldiers
Series: Beyond School Books
From: UNICEF
Length: 00:14:30
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- Beyond Schoolbooks 21: Sudan Child Soldiers
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As a teenager, Abraham Kur Achiek served in the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA), the rebel group that fought Sudan’s Government for more than 20 years. Today, he’s in his thirties and working as a Child Protection Officer for UNICEF in his native Southern Sudan.
UNICEF and UN Radio moderator Amy Costello recently spoke with Mr. Kur Achiek about the time during his childhood when soldiers from the SPLA were his only teachers.
Looking back, Mr. Kur Achiek said the atrocities he witnessed as a young rebel soldier haunt him to this day. Even so, he credits the SPLA with giving him an education, however imperfect it may have been.
“Although the education was not of quality,” said Mr. Kur Achiek, “I can tell you I’m proud and able to talk to you today because of the small education that I had with the SPLA. It opened my eyes [and] it was able to give me an opportunity to continue looking for more education.”
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Piece Description
As a teenager, Abraham Kur Achiek served in the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA), the rebel group that fought Sudan’s Government for more than 20 years. Today, he’s in his thirties and working as a Child Protection Officer for UNICEF in his native Southern Sudan.
UNICEF and UN Radio moderator Amy Costello recently spoke with Mr. Kur Achiek about the time during his childhood when soldiers from the SPLA were his only teachers.
Looking back, Mr. Kur Achiek said the atrocities he witnessed as a young rebel soldier haunt him to this day. Even so, he credits the SPLA with giving him an education, however imperfect it may have been.
“Although the education was not of quality,” said Mr. Kur Achiek, “I can tell you I’m proud and able to talk to you today because of the small education that I had with the SPLA. It opened my eyes [and] it was able to give me an opportunity to continue looking for more education.”
