1 Sep 2012

CAR / ISHMAEL BEAH

UNICEF and its partners in a UN Task force are working with the Central African Republic (CAR) military to release children from irregular armed groups and reintegrate them into communities. UNICEF

Posted at: September 1, 2012 12:01 am

Duration: 04:10

Available in: SD

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Full script

STORY: CAR / ISHMAEL BEAH 
TRT: 4:10
SOURCE: UNICEF 
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGES: ENGLISH / SANGO / NATS
 
DATELINE: 17- 24 AUGUST 2012, N'DELE, BANGUI, CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
 
SHOTLIST:

1. Various shots, boy listening to radio
2. Wide shot, car driving through field
3. Close up, car driving through field
4. Various shots, Convention of Patriots for Justice and Peace (CPJP) soldiers in the field, sitting together
5. Close up, man holding gun
6. Wide shot, UNICEF Child Protection Team negotiating for release of children at CPJP
7. Med shot, Ishmael Beah, UNICEF Advocate for Children affected by War, walks out of plane
8. Med shot, Ishmael Beah, UNICEF Advocate for Children affected by War, greeted by CPJP President
9. Med shot, Ishmael Beah speaking to CPJP soldiers
10. Close shot, Ishmael Beah's best-selling book
11. SOUNDBITE (English) Ishmael Beah, UNICEF Advocate for Children affected by War 
"I came to Central African Republic to shed light on the issue of children in armed conflict which is a very dire situation here in this place and also to spend some time with some of the young people who are coming from these groups that have been released. There are several groups in this area that are recruiting children including the LRA." 
12. Med shot, UNICEF Child Protection team arrives at transit centre with newly released children
13. Close shot, newly release child soldier walks out of car
14. Med shot, newly released child soldiers at the transit centre
15. Close up, Ishmael Beah, UNICEF Advocate for Children affected by War
16. Med shot, teacher at transit centre 
17. Close shot, children at desk with notebook
18. Close shot, tailoring 
19. Med shot, child learning mechanical work
20. SOUNDBITE (English) Fosca Giulidori, UNICEF Chief of Child Protection, CAR:
"This type of transition is very important because the child is prepared to go back home and also is prepared to consider other opportunities not just fighting all day but also become aware that they can start an education, again that they can do vocational training or have other opportunities to have a positive future."
21. Med shot, shift focus, woman walking in the village
22. Med shot, villagers 
23. Close up, flower
24. Med shot, child in the village, CPJP soldier stands behind him
25. SOUNDBITE (French), Evelyn Zembea, Social Worker, Danish Refugee Council: 
"The biggest difficulty we are facing is that the CPJP is actively operating in our towns and these children feel a strong parental link to the CPJP."
26. Zoom out, Abdelkarim, former combatant, 16 years old
27. SOUNDBITE (Sango) Abdelkarim, 16 years old: 
"I have seen terrible things. I have seen my friend's body on the ground. I have seen blood. So after his death, I decided it was better to go to the transit centre because I believe there is a better opportunity for me."
28. Various shots, CPJP soldiers 
29. Wide shot, UNICEF Child Protection team negotiating release of children with armed group
30. Close up, Ishmael Beah
31. Med shot, former combatant playing with blocks
32. Close up, blocks
33. SOUNDBITE (English) Ishmael Beah, UNICEF Advocate for Children affected by War
"When you are conditioned to function a certain way, it takes time to know that something else is possible. I went through that myself."
34. Various shots, former child soldiers playing football with Ishmael Beah

STORYLINE:
 
A farewell song for a boy whose life is about to change forever.

UNICEF and its partners in a UN Task force are working with the Central African Republic (CAR) military to release children from irregular armed groups and reintegrate them into communities.

This 16 year old will travel far from his village, where he fought for one of CAR's armed groups known as the Convention of Patriots for Justice and Peace or CPJP.

Former child soldier Ishmael Beah, UNICEF advocate for children affected by war took part in a recent mission where ten children had been released.

As a child, Beah fought in a civil war in Sierre Leone and had written a best-selling book about his experience as a child soldier.

SOUNDBITE (English) Ishmael Beah, UNICEF Advocate for Children affected by War: 
"I came to Central African Republic to shed light on the issue of children in armed conflict which is a very dire situation here in this place and also to spend some time with some of the young people who are coming from these groups that have been released. There are several groups in this area that are recruiting children including the LRA."

The newly released children are welcomed at a transit centre where they will stay before being reunited with their families or placed in foster care.

Here they go to school or learn skills like tailoring and mechanical work.

SOUNDBITE (English) Fosca Giulidori, UNICEF Chief of Child Protection, CAR:
"This type of transition is very important because the child is prepared to go back home and also is prepared to consider other opportunities not just fighting all day but also become aware that they can start an education, again that they can do vocational training or have other opportunities to have a positive future."

But the road to rehabilitation is not easy. This is one of the poorest countries in the world and opportunities are limited. In addition, negotiations around peace agreements between armed groups and the government are on-going and the presence of these groups is strong within communities.

SOUNDBITE (French) Evelyn Zembea, Social Worker, Danish Refugee Council: 
"The biggest difficulty we are facing is that the CPJP is actively operating in our towns and these children feel a strong parental link to the CPJP."

Despite these challenges for this former combatant going back to a life of war is not an option.

SOUNDBITE (Sango) Abdelkarim, 16 years old: 
"I have seen terrible things. I have seen my friend's body on the ground. I have seen blood. So after his death, I decided it was better to go to the transit centre because I believe there is a better opportunity for me."

Leaving the armed group is the first step.

But the real battle is overcoming the trauma that it leaves behind both physically and mentally and believing a better life lies ahead. This is something all these children must grapple with.

SOUNDBITE (English) Ishmael Beah, UNICEF Advocate for Children affected by War:
"When you are conditioned to function a certain way, it takes time to know that something else is possible. I went through that myself."

The hope is that through hard work and long-term support, this is a goal that can be achieved