Donna White Books
Picture

#ChildrenNotSoldiers

10/13/2016

 
Picture

​When I interviewed some of the child soldiers who visited the Gulu recovery center for children of war in Uganda I wanted to show them my gratefulness for sharing their stories and reliving their horrid pasts. One of these gifts was a soccer ball.
I will never forget what James did when I gave him a ball. He looked at it and held it to his chest and he smiled. Not just a grin, but a huge smile that filled his face and seeped into his eyes. He murmured thank you and then turned to walk away, then he stopped and said:


“Kony took more than our families and our way of life away. He took away our childhood. I will never be able to enjoy the carefree day of youth again. But sometime I like to go back and live it - as an adult. When the nightmare come, I go and I find my friend and we play the game. It help me to see better again.”
​
I hope there are many, many games played James. And somehow a piece of that lost childhood, found. ​

1 Comment
vidmate link
10/26/2022 04:49:52 am

hanks for sharing the article, and more importantly, your personal experience of mindfully using our emotions as data about our inner state and knowing when it’s better to de-escalate by taking a time out are great tools. Appreciate you reading and sharing your story since I can certainly relate and I think others can to

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Donna White

    My journey as an author, giving voice to those who can't - or won't - speak. 

    Archives

    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    August 2008

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • Teaching Resources
    • Teacher/Student Comments
  • Photo Gallery
  • Contact
  • Help
  • Home
  • Teaching Resources
    • Teacher/Student Comments
  • Photo Gallery
  • Contact
  • Help