Soldier, 16, tells his tale of horror

TUCKED away in the dusty side streets of Goma the house of “mama”, as she is known, is modest with holy relics on the wall and clean covers over worn-down seats.

Mama is a foster mother who takes in rescued child soldiers, offering them a roof over their head, food and a humble home while they become used to normal life again.

The foster carer cannot be identified as armed groups could re-recruit children taking refuge in her house.

One of the children currently in care is Bahati.

The 16-year-old has twice escaped from rebel Tutsi soldiers. Sitting in the dark , he explained his ordeal: “I escaped in September after I was taken again in August.”

When armed soldiers entered his family home in Nyanzale, Bahati’s father had offered them $40 to leave. They gladly took it but not without leaving also with his son.

The teenager has fought in several battles this year, including when rebels advanced against government-held positions in Sake and Rumangabo, in North Kivu.

“There were lines of us, who would attack in separate groups,” explained the boy crouching down on his knees as he explained rebel attacking methods.

A scar from a bullet wound on his left ankle reveals evidence of when he was forced to fight several years previously.

“They forced us to get in the army as they didn’t have enough soldiers.”

Since escaping, Bahati has nightmares and finds it difficult to eat proper food after surviving the bush.

“When we killed people, we dumped their bodies into latrines. Those [soldiers] with the worst training were put in the front line to fight.”

The charity Save the Children sponsor Bahati’s foster family but he in unlikely to return to his home in Nyanzale in case he is killed as reprisal for his actions. Simon added:

“I’d like to back to school but it might be too late.”

This project was funded by the Simon Cumbers' Media Challenge Fund, supported by Irish Aid.