A LRA Child Soldier's Story

Juliet arriving at 10 Downing Street to present her letter.A few weeks ago, a young woman named Juliet was invited to come to the UK by the charity War Child. Juliet is a former child soldier, abducted by the Lord's Resistance Army when she was only 14 years old. She miraculously managed to get away, but by this time had already had to endure the unimaginable.

When she was taken by the LRA, she was forced to be a 'wife' to one of its commanders; a man much older than her, a man she was forced to have sex with. She was forced to kill and fight. At the age of 16 Juliet became pregnant and suffered terribly as the child died inside her. 

When Juliet managed to get away, she returned to Northern Uganda where she was from. Although it's hard to imagine it possible at all, Juliet has managed to pick her life back up and has gone back to school. She is now head girl.

When Juliet came to the UK, she had one goal in mind: letting the world know about what happened to her. And not just to her, but to thousands of other girls in the region. And worst of all: the fact that this is still going on today.

Juliet pleaded with the UK government to help with the education of especially girls who have suffered the same atrocities as she has. But she also has a more urgent message: children are still out there in the bush with the LRA. Many have been able to escape or have been set free. But many are still in the hands of the rebel soldiers. Juliet's message on this is clear: Stop the LRA. Free the child soldiers.

Unfortunately, the story of what Juliet suffered is not unique, far from it in fact. It is for people like Juliet that we need to stand up and demand action. Come and make a change on the 21st September by joining Barefoot Peace Walk. Help us end this hell for children and give them back their childhood. 

Read more on Juliet's Story on the War Child website and Prime Minister David Cameron’s response to Juliet’s letter.