“Every time we talked among ourselves, they hit us with a machete.”
October 14th, 2009
Michel’s* story (13 years old)

It must have been about midnight. Michel was sleeping soundly at home alongside his little brothers and his older sister. Four men came – they were armed but dressed as civilians. They tied Michel’s and his sister’s hands together and took them into the bush.
“We found ourselves with around 20 other children,” Michel tells us. “These men whipped us and forced us to work. Every time we talked among ourselves, they hit us with a machete. In the evenings, when we needed to go to the toilet, they thought we would try and escape. We were always tied up at night. We weren’t allowed to wash our clothes, or even our bodies. Only they had the right to wash their clothes and themselves. They were sure that we wanted to run away back to the village.”
One particular day sticks in Michel’s memory. “They had gone to loot a village. On their way back they came across a man working in his field. The grabbed him and took him further into the bush and killed him. Then they gave me a machete and ordered me to chop him up into little bits. I only did it once. My heart was beating so fast. They told me to chop him up and if I didn’t do it they would kill me too. I still relive that moment in my dreams…”
Later Michel saw two men killed because they had tried to run away. But one day he did manage to escape, taking advantage of a skirmish between his kidnappers and the army.” They put me behind them and I lay down on the ground. When the soldiers came, I came out of my hiding place and followed them to the village. When I came out of the bush, people were scared of me. I told them not to be afraid and finally they took me in.”
Michel found his family again. His parents decided to leave him at MSF’s centre for child survivors for a while. He receives psychological support and spends his days with other children who were once kidnapped. He needs time to readjust to living back in the community. And to try and make a fresh start as best he can at 13 years old.
* Names have been changed to protect those involved.
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February 13th, 2010
03:17 AM
Molly O'Brien
said:
My heart broke as I read this story…
I will pray for “Michel” that his soul may be happy and heals
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April 15th, 2010
04:14 PM
newnew
said:
im sorry it happened to you but thats great that other people know your story and i wish you the best of luck
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April 30th, 2010
01:54 PM
PJ Madeira
said:
I know that these and other horrible things happen, and that my words here does not change it or help; so, as I really don’t have any words for this, I will pray for all ‘Michels’ suffering so incredible, that god gives all his support to heal their souls. Hoping from all of my heart that they will be good again and could enjoy life as they deserve it. Bless you
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May 21st, 2010
05:47 PM
eugenie
said:
I bine were you bine and i now how you fill.Its heard to late it go but you have to forgive them no mather what.be with Good and let him be close in your life.Big weesh for you brothr