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CIR Special Report: Redemption Songs
How does a child survive war and enter the civilian world?
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Redemption Songs
Redemption Songs
How 12 children scarred by Congo wars are learning to cope in adulthood
Richard C. Paddock
Feb 13, 2014
Redemption Songs: Portraits
Redemption Songs: Portraits
They survived. Now a fragile peace is coming to the Congo, and 12 children of war train for the fight of their lives.
Photography by Larry C. Price
Feb 13, 2014
Redemption Songs: Portraits in Black and White
Redemption Songs: Portraits in Black and White
Abducted as sex slaves; soldiers by force and by choice: A dozen scarred in childhood by Congo’s wars remember, in their own words.
Photography by Larry C. Price
Feb 13, 2014
“In my dreams, sometimes I see people shooting people.”
“In my dreams, sometimes I see people shooting people.”
James Black, fleeing from two rebel groups (Redemption Songs No. 1)
Richard C. Paddock
Feb 13, 2014
“There is no trust.”
“There is no trust.”
Mugoli Shukuru, forced to become commander’s wife (Redemption Songs No. 2)
Richard C. Paddock
Feb 13, 2014
“It’s like I’m watching a film of what happened to me.”
“It’s like I’m watching a film of what happened to me.”
Gode Musore, indoctrinated to be a killer (Redemption Songs No. 3)
Richard C. Paddock
Feb 13, 2014
“There was a mattress on the ground. It was every day and whenever they wanted.”
“There was a mattress on the ground. It was every day and whenever they wanted.”
Brigitte Bazibuhe, abducted into sex slavery (Redemption Songs No. 4)
Richard C. Paddock
Feb 13, 2014
“If I don’t get an education, I think I will go back.”
“If I don’t get an education, I think I will go back.”
Vainqueur Faida, the perfect spy (Redemption Songs No. 5)
Richard C. Paddock
Feb 13, 2014
“I was not afraid to die because I saw death so near me.”
“I was not afraid to die because I saw death so near me.”
Namegabe Baguma, no longer afraid to die (Redemption Songs No. 6)
Richard C. Paddock
Feb 13, 2014
“We saw there was no other way.”
“We saw there was no other way.”
Nsii Maombi, tempted by militia life (Redemption Songs No. 7)
Richard C. Paddock
Feb 13, 2014
“If I was able to get a job, I would never think of going back to the militia.”
“If I was able to get a job, I would never think of going back to the militia.”
Saddam Balingine, performer of magic rituals (Redemption Songs No. 8)
Richard C. Paddock
Feb 13, 2014
“I thought I was going to die.”
“I thought I was going to die.”
Tatiana Lola, escaped sex slavery (Redemption Songs No. 9)
Richard C. Paddock
Feb 13, 2014
“All you can do is pray to God.”
“All you can do is pray to God.”
Didier Asumani, safer being a soldier (Redemption Songs No. 10)
Richard C. Paddock
Feb 13, 2014
“It was just like deciding to commit suicide.”
“It was just like deciding to commit suicide.”
Nathalie Kasaki Banyanga, mama quartermaster (Redemption Songs No. 11)
Richard C. Paddock
Feb 13, 2014
“The gun was normal for me. Just one minute and I was ready to shoot.”
“The gun was normal for me. Just one minute and I was ready to shoot.”
Raphael Mutimanwa, following his father’s path (Redemption Songs No. 12)
Richard C. Paddock
Feb 13, 2014
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