few weeks ago. i was asked by my teacher to give a speech about my experiences of war in my country and other countries in Africa that have undergo war. this is a special day 11/11/04 that we shall remember all the people around the world who have lost thier lives in war and have suffered from the experience.
After you read my speech just be silent for one minute to remember the brave one's who lost thier lives.
My speech on Remembrance day
Good morning guests, students and teachers.Today, we are here to pay special tribute and remember all those who losts their lives in times of conflict and war,fighting to preserve freedom for all.
firstly i would like to share my own experiences of war in my country, Sierra Leone. Images of war are still vivid in my mind- the jet fighters, helicopters, guns and mercenary military planes. i can still hear the sounds of the guns, the bombardment, the cries and the look on the faces of my mother, sister and brother. I knew immediately there was trouble and the happy family i used to know was scattered by the terror. My mother and younger sister are currently in sierra leone unable to escape the horror, My youngest brother has found refuge in London. And my other younger brother is in Guinea. It makes me sad to think we are unable to stay as a family. I am living with my Dad presently in AUstralia.
sometimes i think about the horrors in Sierra Leone. thinking back to the days when i was looking for protection, clinging to my Mum's arms. from the moment i was devastated and traumatised by the horror. I have seen the atrocities as a child and it is very difficult to forget the horrific images of war.
Most countries in Africa, such as Sierra Leone, Sudan, Rwanda,Liberia,Uganda, South Africa etc, have gone through the most brutal episodes of war in which the only image most children like me know are the images of atrocities, the misery from chopping of hands,limbs and other parts of the body; to rape; kidnapping and forcing young boys and girls into the army.
most scenarios become all too familiar that it becomes too difficult to let them go. As a child i have seen my house burn down. i have seen people killed. i have seen people take their last breath.
This trauma will never go away. Everyday is a struggle. learning to deal with what i have seen.
It has been stated that millions opf children fought in the war, giving them drugs in an attempt to de-sensitise them to the horror of killing family members.Many of them Forced to do unspeakable acts of violence. children were trained to use a machine gun and other weapons.
This war left a legacy of suffering and rejection among the children and people from these countries. In Sudan alone, millions of people had perished in its internal war. Not counting the other millions of men, children and women in other countries in Africa. Today, men ,women and children are paying the price of the brutal policies. these people deal with the horror everyday.
sometimes we choose not to look, to ignore the horror as we are unable to endure the images of war, the pain and suffering and man's potential to do harm. we abandon our human responsiblity.
I wanted to share my experiences with you so that i can raise awareness about the plight of the people in Africa. let's not turn away so within ourselves we feel comfortable so that we don't feel anything when the News report describes the suffering of war, we change the channel but by doing so we are less likely to do anything to change the situation of war. In reality we can make the difference. By advocating to people who are in a positon to make the difference. saying 'no to war', supporting the plight of the refugees, and making humanitarian aid available to those who need it most.
on this day take the time to consider all the people of different races and those who have lost their lives in war. let's remember those who have suffered from the experiences and are still suffering. We shall remember them.
