By providing a safe place, therapy, education and skills training, we aim to break the cycle of violence and poverty for former child soldiers and communities affected by war. We want to instill confidence, self-esteem, and values into our youth. This country, on the west coast of Africa, faced a civil war for 11 years and many child soldiers were involved. The war may be over, but the after-effec
ts of using children in the conflict are still being felt across the country. At our center we would like to provide access to arts therapy, career counselling, skills training and education to create jobs, and provide resources to further the country and people. Our dream at ILF is to have centers like this in many different countries across the globe. We want them to be equipped with the skills and resources to rescue child soldiers from current conflicts. Innocence Lost Foundation would like to be a leader in the re-integration and rehabilitation of former child soldiers into their communities. We believe that with a little faith, anything is possible.
~Ava Vanderstarren and Fazineh Keita
Innocence Lost Foundation
