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Child Soldiers International works to end the recruitment and use of children by armed forces and groups. Founded two decades ago, it is renowned for its specialist work with conflict-affected communities, governments and the United Nations to stop the use of child soldiers. The charity also helps former child soldiers return home and rebuild their lives.聽

In Democratic Republic of Congo children have long been exploited by the country鈥檚 many armed groups. Some are taken from their homes, then forced to fight and witness extreme acts of violence. Many are girls who suffer sexual abuse or repeated rape.聽 We work to get children out of armed groups in DRC and many other countries.

Photo credit: Gwenn Dubourthoumieu

Troublingly, many girls who escape are ostracised and excluded from their communities because of what they experienced. Child Soldiers International helps these girls through community workshops and with follow-up visits from re-integration specialists, to see how they are doing.

Child Soldiers International is also getting these girls back in the classroom, helping them learn new skills, be better accepted by their communities and rediscover their childhood. Since 2016, the charity has helped 177 former girl soldiers reintegrate back home and return to education.聽