A soft-spoken young man with a gentle smile and expressive eyes, 17-year-old Stephen Swankay has a giving spirit. As a reporter for the popular African radio show, "Talking Drums", he sometimes draws on his past as a former combatant to help heal deep wounds in his country while building a new life for himself.

It’s difficult to believe that this cheerful, bright, and ambitious boy was once a child soldier in Sierra Leone's devastating, decade-long civil war. Forced to fight by the brutal rebel forces, Stephen and his fellow fighters were exposed to unimaginable atrocities that will stay with him for life. He hopes his interviews with fellow former child-combatants, community leaders, and government officials will help people accept kids like him.

"I wanted to interview my friends that were with the rebels… so that they can explain their situation… so that the village accepts them back," he said quietly.

When "Swankay," as he is known, was 10 years old, he was abducted by rebels. He was out collecting food near his home when they came out of the bush and surrounded him. He spent the next four years doing as he was told. Finally, after a UN-brokered peace agreement in 1999, Swankay was released and reunited with his family. And, like many of Sierra Leone’s ex-child combatants, he wanted to go back to school.

"When I was with the rebels, I missed school. This was what I missed the most—my education," he said. However, returning to his family and village didn't offer the education he sought, so Swankay made a tough decision: he accepted sponsorship to one of Sierra Leone's best boarding schools and left home again. Like many other kids his age, he has a dream for his future. He wants to become a surgeon.

What’s Next for Swankay?

Swankay knows that the transition from life as a child soldier to life as a regular student is a long and difficult process. Some deep emotional scars never heal. However, he is living proof that with the right care and support, it is possible for children who experienced unimaginable brutality to have a positive future.

Currently, he is doing well in school and has learned to speak English—a big advantage in Sierra Leone. "In this country, if you don’t have an education, you can’t work," he explained. But his determination and commitment cannot hide the part of him that longs to be free of his past. "Now, I can do anything I feel as a child," he said thoughtfully.

What Can You Do?

The first step towards helping is to learn more about the problem. UNICEF offers statistics on the war in Sierra Leone. Other UN agencies like UNICEF and the UN Office for Children and Armed Conflict offer more specific statistics on children who participate in armed conflict. You can also visit sites like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, which outline a strategy to prevent the use of children in combat.