Our Mission
Our mission is to support former child soldiers and war-affected youth to become leaders in peace building and environmental restoration through photography.
Our Strategy
What is unique to the Future Guardians of Peace project is that these former child soldiers and war-affected youth are simultaneously documenting their own and each others’ healing process in their journey to becoming Future Guardians of Peace. They are helping classmates resolve conflicts, helping the community to step forward and care for other ex-combatants and they are learning to appreciate nature by seeing deeply.
In March of 2008, renowned photo-journalist Andre Lambertson conducted a week-long photography training with them. Not only did the kids immediately begin taking stunning photos, they also began using the cameras to build relationships in the community. And the photos opened unexpected doors to their own stories. We are proud to be working with the Liberian government to formulate a national plan of healing for ex-combatants and war-affected youth based in part on our pilot programs in Voinjama.
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The Transformation
The transformation of gaunt, hardened, physically and mentally wounded children into radiant, kind, generous and responsible young people has been remarkable, miraculous even.
Seven former child soldiers and war-affected youth in Voinjama, northwest Liberia, proudly call themselves “Future Guardians of Peace.” Now in their late teens and early twenties, these kids have resumed their interrupted schooling, extricated themselves from the drug-and-alcohol culture of their war buddies, and are working hard to earn the respect of a suspicious community.
They are painfully aware of the thousands like them who perished in the war or do not have the opportunities they have. They are working with everyday gandhi's staff and community leaders to mobilize Community Mentors to care for the thousands of ex-combatants like themselves who are still in need. |
