WAR IS NOT A CHILD'S PLAY!
Topic: 'Children of the Crossfore'
Andew Benson Greene a human rights educator gave a campus-wide lectures series on March 29, 2007 at Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio, USA" on the theme "Children of the Crossfire". He was with one of his students Mohamed Sidibay, a 14-year-old student of Sierra Leone who was aalso a Guest Speaker at the Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio USA. He and Mohamed spoke on the theme 'Children of the Crossfire'. Mohamed Sidibay was 10 years old when he was forced to fight in Sierra Leone's decade-long war. Since his involvement in Andrew's program at the International educational and Resources Network programs in SL, he has been the hero of the movie entitled "We Don't Want No War" which won the organization a production award from Listen Up in New York, USA. In addition, he was involved in a series of short stories from around the world called Beyond Borders 'Personal Stories from a small Planet'. At Kenyon College, Mohamed Sidibay presented several of his personal poems which also reflect first hand experiences about a child caught up in war. He and his mentor Andrew Greene also spoke on the issue of child soldiers at nearby Nazarene University in Mount Vermon, Ohio.
Read more
Topic: 'Children of the Crossfore'
My journey, intertwined with the scars and aspirations of my homeland, Sierra Leone, echoes a story of survival, resilience, and the quest for change. You see, the legacy of civil war still clung to the very fabric of our nation. When Mohamed Sibiday and I visited Kenyon College and Nazarene University in Ohio in 2007 on an invitation by students and faculty to raise awareness on the human rights of children in areas of conflict, I thought it was crucial opportunity to unravel the truths and share the harrowing realities we faced. our journey extended to the heartlands of America, where the halls of Kenyon College in Ohio and the neighboring Nazarene University became our stage. Here, amidst the campus-wide lectures, we shared the poignant theme of "Children of the Crossfire." It was an opportunity not just to impart knowledge but to ignite empathy, to weave the narratives of resilience and survival that echoed across continents.
In those hallowed lecture halls, amidst eager minds and curious souls, we unraveled the tales of Sierra Leone's children caught amidst the crossfire of conflict. We painted vivid portraits of their struggles and triumphs, beckoning the audience to embrace the realities faced by these young souls.
Kenyon College and Nazarene University, Ohio, opened their doors, not just to us but to the poignant stories we carried—a platform where dialogue and understanding transcended borders. The theme resonated beyond mere words, reaching into the depths of empathy, stirring hearts and minds to stand in solidarity with the aspirations of a scarred yet resilient nation.
In those moments, as we spoke of hope amidst despair, of empowerment amidst adversity, the classrooms became canvases for shared understanding, for the kindling of compassion that spans oceans and cultures.
Through these lectures, we didn't just disseminate information; we sowed the seeds of awareness, nurturing a collective consciousness that understands the plight of those who bore witness to the ravages of war. And in doing so, we stitched together threads of empathy and understanding, creating a tapestry where the stories of the Children of the Crossfire found resonance in the hearts of those who listened.
Kenyon College and Nazarene University, Ohio, became beacons of enlightenment, fostering a dialogue that transcended geographical boundaries, uniting us in a shared vision for a world where the innocence of children is safeguarded, where the echoes of war yield to the symphony of hope and progress.
Sierra Leone, a land graced by the Atlantic's embrace, was shackled by conflict for years. I was born and raised in this crucible, I witnessed the horrors unfold, but my awakening to the magnitude of the turmoil came during my high school years. It was a time when innocence was ravaged, and children were forced into a ruthless dance with violence, coerced into a war they couldn't fathom. I sought refuge in education, a sanctuary amidst chaos, studying history, literature, law, and international relations.
But knowledge alone wasn't enough. I felt an urgency to speak out, to amplify the silent cries reverberating across our wounded land. I lent my voice to media outlets like the BBC, determined to pierce the international veil shielding the atrocities. Yet, truth came at a cost, inviting threats that forced me, my family. Sierra Leoneans and other colleague students at Fourah Bay College into exile in Guinea.
In those transient years, I taught, but more than imparting lessons, I shared hope. I became part of a movement, advocating for governance, democracy, and human rights, through a group newly formed by Sierra Leonean activist, the 'Campaign for Good Governance (CGG), laying the groundwork for my own initiatives. Returning to Sierra Leone in 1998, I resumed my studies, holding tightly to the fabric of education as a beacon of progress amidst the turmoil.
The wounds of war ran deep, and I realized that words alone couldn't heal. I envisioned a path paved with technology, where computers could be a bridge for those scarred by conflict, a medium to reclaim stolen childhoods. But dreams need resources, and it was through connections forged during my time communicating with newly found contacts in the United States that my vision found wings.
With the aid of organizations like iEARN USA, iEARN Canada and Computer Aid International, we birthed a program in 2000, one that didn't just teach but nurtured wounded souls. Multimedia technology became our canvas, where children painted stories of resilience and survival, connecting not just with their peers but with the world beyond our borders. I incuperated multi-arts program for socialization, nurturing creativity, self-esteem, and entertainment,
Sibiday, like many other former child soldiers, found solace and purpose in this endeavor. Through his lens,I was able to craft a narrative for a documentary, called 'We don't Wanno War' which won the Listen Up Beyond Borders awards in the US and later the Peabody Awards in NY USA. This story is a testament to the anguish of war and the flickering hope for a better tomorrow. Sidibay's dreams echo the collective aspirations we hold—a yearning for education, stability, and the chance to reshape shattered destinies.
Our endeavor isn't just about education; it's about reclaiming lost innocence and nurturing a generation that bore witness to horrors beyond comprehension. It's a journey of empowerment, where positive recreation mends fractured minds, enabling these young souls to dream beyond the isolated confines of conflict.
Sierra Leone, once teetering on the brink, has seen change—a metamorphosis fueled by the resilience of its people, especially its youth. The iEARN Sierra Leone program that I founded and nurtured stands as a testament to this evolution, a sanctuary for healing and growth in the aftermath of turmoil.
If you wish to delve deeper into our story and our ongoing mission, I invite you to explore the avenues of my courageous work, efforts and legacy in Sierra Leone. There, the narrative of hope, resilience, and the unwavering spirit of a nation finding its footing amidst adversity continues to unfold.
Andew Benson Greene a human rights educator gave a campus-wide lectures series on March 29, 2007 at Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio, USA" on the theme "Children of the Crossfire". He was with one of his students Mohamed Sidibay, a 14-year-old student of Sierra Leone who was aalso a Guest Speaker at the Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio USA. He and Mohamed spoke on the theme 'Children of the Crossfire'. Mohamed Sidibay was 10 years old when he was forced to fight in Sierra Leone's decade-long war. Since his involvement in Andrew's program at the International educational and Resources Network programs in SL, he has been the hero of the movie entitled "We Don't Want No War" which won the organization a production award from Listen Up in New York, USA. In addition, he was involved in a series of short stories from around the world called Beyond Borders 'Personal Stories from a small Planet'. At Kenyon College, Mohamed Sidibay presented several of his personal poems which also reflect first hand experiences about a child caught up in war. He and his mentor Andrew Greene also spoke on the issue of child soldiers at nearby Nazarene University in Mount Vermon, Ohio.
Read more
Comments