It’s going to be a big day – but as we enjoyed our first few ‘unified’ hours I had no idea that the day would also bring together a real family. I certainly didn’t think I would be moved to tears – twice!
At the moment, Oscar’s reunification can’t be done because of the security situation in his home area. But sooner or later it could be possible. Who will tell the truth to Oscar about his father’s death when the time comes to send him back home?
The old woman listened attentively with deep interest. When my colleague had finished talking, the woman took his hand to her mouth as a sign of admiration and asked: “Who pays these people for the great job they are doing?”
I’m in Goma to find out more about how we care for and reunify children who have been separated from their parents due to the ongoing war in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. From the briefing I’ve had with the protection team, two words come back regularly: “tracing” and “reunification”.
The recent political developments have had major impacts on Save the Children’s Child Protection programme. As a result of the integration of the rebel groups into the Congolese army, many children are currently being demobilised, which is great news but has caused some major logistical headaches for our team who work to rehabilitate and disarm child soldiers.
