Child Soldier

For some children, the brutality of war is the only “normality” they will ever experience.

In 2015, there were an estimated 300,000 children taking part in at least 30 different conflicts worldwide. The use of child soldiers is most prevalent in Africa and Asia where socioeconomic and political circumstances are contributing factors. Children might join a combat group purely for the food and shelter it may offer.

Because they are so young, many children are easily indoctrinated or manipulated into taking part in conflicts. They do not fully comprehend the consequences of their actions or the complexities of war and politics. With little understanding of the dangers of warfare, or the mental, physical and sexual abuse which may accompany their daily lives, some children take part in wars voluntarily.

This is the fictional journey as seen through the eyes of one such child.

Follow his epic struggle for survival - from street child in Uganda to hardened child soldier in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Share his pain, misery, abuse and indoctrination at the hands of the "Merchants of Death" rebel army - an army led by a brutal colossus with blood diamond interests spanning across borders. Experience the utter loss of innocence no child should ever have to endure. The complete absence of empathetic emotions such as love, compassion and respect for life. Concepts that we take for granted. Concepts which make us human.

Herman F. Bosman grew up in an Afrikaans family during South Africa's Apartheid years and did his compulsory national military service in the late 1980's. He was trained as a combat medic and later in VIP security wherehe became the driver andbodyguard to the Surgeon General. In early 2000, the author hitched boats up the Amazon river on a 3700 mile spiritual journey, searching for the answers to life and everything else. He stayed with a shaman for a number of days in some of the most remote parts of the rain forest and took part in various deeply spiritual rituals which included strange indigenous customs and potions. These experiences influenced his views on life & war forever.