Discussion Guide for

“Ugandan
Children of War.”
After viewing “Ugandan Children of War,” use this guide to research child soldiers, reflect on
how the video impacted you, recall what you learned, respond in tangible ways, reach out with
life-changing help, resolve to follow God’s Word, and rely on His goodness and power.

Research
» A c c o r d i ng to United Nations estim ates, a quarter million children
are involved in armed conflicts worldwide. They are exploited in state-run armies,
paramilitaries, and rebel groups, serving as combatants, spies, suicide bombers, porters,
human mine detectors, and sex slaves. Their health and lives are endangered and their
childhoods sacrificed.

» In r e c e n t deca des, experts estimate that more than 2 million children have
been killed in armed conflicts; an estimated 6 million have been seriously injured or
permanently disabled. Source: UNICEF, Children in Conflict and Emergencies

»

C h i l d r e n most likely to be forced into military service include those who are:
• Separated from parents or caregivers
• Living alone without a supportive adult
• Living on the streets

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 • From minority groups
• Isolated or have limited social skills
• Living in or near conflict zones

»

T h e d r i v i ng fa ctors for forced child soldier conscription include:
• Abduction and enticement by armed groups
• Government complicity
• Abundance of small arms and light weapons
• Absence of work and education

»

C h i l d s o l diers may experience:
• General poor health (malnutrition and infectious diseases, including HIV)
• Serious war injuries
• Physical abuse or deprivation
• Drug addiction
• Sexual abuse and exploitation
• Serious psychological and social problems
• Unwanted pregnancy (particularly dangerous for girls who are often
malnourished, physically immature, and living in unsanitary conditions
• Death
Source: UNICEF, Children Associated with Armed Groups, May 2006;,

Reflect
B e f o r e wat c h i ng the video and learning more about the causes and lasting effects
of child soldier conscription, what did you know about child soldiers in Uganda? Has your
understanding of the crisis changed?

W h y d o y ou t h ink the su ffering in Uganda went largely unnoticed for so long?

Recall
W h o w e r e t h e “night comm uters”? Where did they go every night and why?

F o r o v e r 2 0 y e ars, Joseph Kony, leader of the rebel group Lord’s Resistance Army
(LRA), fueled his armies by kidnapping children and forcing their involvement in the civil
war. Young girls were forced into sexual slavery, and cult-like versions of religious rituals
were used to isolate and intimidate the children. What effect does such indoctrination and
exposure to violence and abuse have on young boys and young girls?

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T h e c i v i l wa r t h at ra ged for decades in Uganda resulted in nearly 2 million people
displaced, two generations of orphans, an AIDS crisis, and an estimated minimum of 30,000
children kidnapped by rebels and forced to commit atrocities. Children who escaped or were
rescued from the LRA faced isolation, lasting effects of trauma, and difficulty in finding
employment due to their lack of job skills. Recall from the film how the World Vision Uganda
Children of War Rehabilitation Program worked to help former child soldiers cope and move
forward. Why are such programs essential to children’s recovery and future?

Respond
R e c a l l h o w c h i ld soldiers and girls forced into sexual slavery are traumatized by
abuse and war and stigmatized by their families and communities. How can you amplify the
voices of these children whose experiences have been largely invisible to the rest of the world?
How can you work together to inform others and advocate on their behalf?

W h o s e s u f f e r i n g a nd needs are going unnoticed in your community? How can you

serve and love these people?

F l o r e n c e La k o r, World V ision Ugand a sta ff memb er, listens and responds

to the tragic stories of countless former child soldiers at the World Vision Uganda Children
of War Rehabilitation Center. Is God calling you to be a listening ear and active servant for
someone you know?

Reach Out
Consider making a difference in the following ways:

» Pr ay f o r children in Uga nda and around the world who have been deeply
harmed by war, conflict, and isolation.

» V i s i t WWW.WORLDVISIONRESO U RCES. COM to make a monthly financial

pledge to help provide for the needs of children affected by war throughout the world.

» B e c o m e a n a dvoc ate. Increase awareness of the plight of child soldiers.

Write the president and your congressional representatives urging them to put high-
level pressure on countries that exploit children in armed conflict. Advocate also for
the allocation of more humanitarian assistance to rehabilitation programs and other

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 needs of children affected by war. To learn more about child soldiers and how you can
become an advocate, visit www.worldvisionresources.com and click on ‘programs and
events”.

» S p o n s o r a child thro ugh World V ision. For just about a dollar a day,
you’ll provide your sponsored child with access to critical basics such as clean water,
improved nutrition, healthcare, and education. Your gifts will help make a world
of difference for your child and his or her family and community. For sponsorship
information, visit www.worldvisionresources.com.

Resolve
» De f e n d t he cau se of the wea k and fatherless; maintain the rights of the
poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the
wicked. —Psalm 82:3-4

» [ T h e Lo r d] restores my so u l. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his

name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear
no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. —Psalm 23:3-4

Rely
Pray that:

» Go d w i l l tr ansform the he a rts of those who force children to become

child soldiers. Pray also for those who are working to rescue and rehabilitate children
who have been forced into armed conflict and subjected to abuse.

» T h e L o r d ’s R esistance Army will be permanently disarmed and that lasting

peace will settle over Uganda and affected neighboring countries. Pray too that the
government will find ways to promote reconciliation within Ugandan society.

» T h e g l obal comm unity will pla ce a high priority on freeing and

rehabilitating child soldiers throughout the world.

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The Scripture in this resource is from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL
VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by
permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

During the preparation of this resource, all citations, facts, figures, Internet URLs, and other
cited information were verified for accuracy. World Vision Resources has made every attempt to
reference current and valid sources, but we cannot guarantee the content of any source and we
are not responsible for any changes that may have occurred since our verification. If you find an
error in, or have a question or concern about, any of the information or sources listed within,
please contact World Vision Resources.

Copyright © 2010 World Vision, Inc., Mail Stop 321, P.O. Box 9716, Federal Way, WA 98063-
9716, wvresources@worldvision.org. All rights reserved.

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 About World Vision
W o r l d V i s i o n is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated
to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide
to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and
injustice. Motivated by our faith in Jesus Christ, World Vision serves
alongside the poor and oppressed as a demonstration of God’s
unconditional love for all people.

We envision a world where each child experiences “fullness of life”

as described in John 10:10. We know this can be achieved only by
addressing the problems of poverty and injustice in a holistic way.
World Vision is unique in bringing 60 years of experience in three key
areas to help children and families thrive: emergency relief, long-term
development, and advocacy. We bring our skills across many areas of
expertise to each community where we work, enabling us to support
children’s physical, social, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

About World Vision Resources

E n d i n g g l oba l poverty and injustice begins with education:
understanding the magnitude and causes of poverty, its impact on
human dignity, and our connection to those in need around the world.

World Vision Resources is the publishing ministry of World Vision.

World Vision Resources educates Christians about global poverty,
inspires them to respond, and equips them with innovative resources
to make a difference in the world.

For more information about our

resources, contact:
World Vision Resources
Mail Stop 321
P.O. Box 9716
Federal Way, WA 98063-9716
Fax: 253-815-3340
wvresources@worldvision.org

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