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The Front Lines
Before going to the front line, they were given tablets that would "give them energy". Then they were taken into the forest and commanded to shoot anyone on the opposing team. The first day in battle was the hardest one as they were not yet immune to violence and the sight of blood. By the end of the day they no longer cared that they were killing people because they had persuaded themselves that they were getting revenge on the people that had ruined their family's. (pages 114-120) -
Capturing the Villages
During his time in the army, Ishmael took part in many village attacks and violent acts. He was even given the rank of junior lieutenant for winning a contest by killing someone the fastest. These gruesome crimes are what made rehabilitation a struggle. Ishmael and many other boys in his position struggle with the realization that they have done so many violent acts. Accepting that they were not at fault for all that had happened is hard for them. (pages 121-127) -
UNICEF(United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund)
After three years of war activity, Ishmael and fourteen other boy soldiers were chosen by UNICEF to be taken to a rehabilitation center. At the time when they were taken from the army they hated and didn't trust the people from UNICEF because they were taking them away from what had become their family and friends. They showed their anger by beating up the staff at the center and intentionally being difficult to please. (pages 129-140) -
Esther
Ester was the nurse at the rehab center. she played a really important role in building trust among the boys. Her job was to make sure every boy was healthy, physically and eventually mentally. She also helped the boys our by listening to their stories and identifying their interests. When Ishmael went to Ester for help, she always played rap music, a interest he had before the war, and talked to him about his nightmares or war stories. (pages 141-168) -
The City
During Rehabilitation the boys were taken into the city to see all that was out there. As most of the boys came from small country villages, seeing tall buildings and busy streets was fascinating. At first it was used as an incentive to get the boys to do as they were told. Every Friday they went as a group to the city but if they didn't attend classes they were not taken along on the trip. (pages 145-148) -
Becoming a Spokesperson
Near the end of his time in the rehab center, Ishmael and his friends put on a talent show for some visitors. During this show Ishmael presented a rap song that he wrote himself about his war experiences. After the show he was asked to speak for the center at some events. At first he was uncomfortable with the idea but eventually he accepted his role as a spokesperson. (pages 168-169 -
Repatriated - reuniting ex-child soldiers with their former communities.
In the rehab center each boy was assigned to a UNICEF staff that was responsible for finding them a home to go to after rehab. As Ishmael's immediate family was not located they started looking for other relatives. The only relative that was found was one of his uncles. Before moving into his house they met weekly to get to know each other. In many other cases boys ended up with no family and they were placed in foster families. Some even joined the army again. (pages 170-178) -
A New Home
Ishmael's uncle had 4 children. None of them were his, they were all actually his nieces and nephews. When Ishmael joined the family he was worried that he wouldn't be accepted because of his war experiences. His uncle assured him that none of the children knew what he went through and they wouldn't know until they were old enough to understand. When Ishmael moved into his uncles family he was embraced and accepted by all of them. (pages 179-184) -
CAW - Children Associated with War
After living with his uncle for a while, Ishmael was visited by a UNICEF worker and was told of an opportunity to speak on behalf of child soldiers. He went to the interview where they asked him why he thought he was the best candidate. As he actually took part in the war he was chosen to represent their country at a CAW conference. At this conference he met many other boys from around the world that were in similar situations. This is also were he met Laura Simms. (pages 184-200) -
Escaping From War
After a time of peace, Ismael was once again caught in the war. His uncle's village was attacked as a new president took over Sierra Leone. After seeing his uncle die, Ishmael decided to escape the war. He didn't want to be captured by the army and made to fight again so he escaped the country and went to live with Laura Simms in America. Laura eventually became his adoptive mother. (pages 202-216)