Now, they rely on the monthly food distributions supplied by relief groups and have found people who will pay them to work in the fields. Theresa no longer goes to school, but likes cultivating a common field with other orphans. Omer is attending school two days a week. When asked what they want for the future, they shrug and have no answer. For today, they are content to have wooden windows that close, a sturdy roof, and a lock on their new door so the donated clothing, a simple wool blanket and cooking pots will not be stolen.
Tomorrow is a long way away.
When two elephants fight, it is the grass that gets trampled. It's time for all governments, including our own, to take the necessary steps to ensure that the most vulnerable members of society are protected from the horrors of war. Children should never be used as weapons of war. She visited Habitat's work in Burundi in early 1999. This article may not be reproduced in any form without permission.