10 Things to Know about
Ishmael Beah, Sierra Leone, and Child Soldiers
- Ishmael Beah was born in 1980 and was kidnapped from his family during the civil war of Sierra Leon
- Ishmael was adopted by an American woman and moved to New York with her to finish his education
- Ishmael Beah got a political degree in political science and now resides in New York City
- Sierra Leone had a civil war in the 1990’s
- Sierra leone has a unicameral legislature and a directly elected president
- Sierra Leone has 14 different districts
- Unicef protects against child slavery
- Ismael is now 26 years of age
- Children are kidnapped and forced to become soldiers at young age
- Children are used for land mine clearing, messengers, spies as front line soldiers and the girls are even used as sex slaves