The Inner-City Mission is Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) aiming to help children in need across the globe. The organization regularly collaborates with the Christ Embassy Church, believing that through faith and God good can come to this world and the innocent children in it. Pastor Chris, an established philanthropist, constantly preaches about the importance of charity and giving to those in need. As Christians, it is our purpose and duty in life to help all those who are less fortunate than us.
The Convention on the Rights of the Child clearly states that “Children under the age of 16 years should not take a direct part in any conflict” (Article 38, summarized). The internationally binding document makes it clear that children should not be forced to actively fight in wars or combat. Every child in the world has the born-given right to the preservation of their humanity such as the right to life, food, shelter, education etc. Those freedoms include the freedom from participating in combat or war.
Regardless of this agreed upon document, an estimate of 40% of all armed forces in the world use children. Armed forces include militaries, armies, resistance forces terror organizations and more. The UN document is currently ratified by 167 countries, banning the conscription of children getting involved in armed conflict. An astonishing 14 Member States still enlist children into their militaries.
There are an estimated 300,000 child soldiers involved in armed conflict. Children are forced against their will to actively participate in fighting and combat. These kid’s ages can be as young as 8 years old.
The main countries these atrocities occur are the Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Iraq, Myanmar, Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. Yet the exact scope and numbers are hard to quantify as these kid military camps are usually kept in secret.
The soldier kids are forced to take arms that are at times the size of themselves, making the images of this phenomenon truly disturbing. A child may never recover from such a traumatic event, leaving metal and physical scars for life.
No child should be compelled to kill and be killed. No child should be used as an expression of hatred and no child’s childhood should be seized by arms of war.
We all, as a community and as individual Christians, have a collective duty to help get rid of this situation. We have a responsibility to protect any child in danger, no matter their origin, race, gender or ethnicity. We must help these children secure a better and safer future. Children who end up victims and refugees have a right to be welcomed, supported and accepted into the new societies and communities that receive them.
Make sure you get involved and make an impact today!