I know I often joke around on my blog and make it as light-hearted as possible, but the reason for everything I’m doing is a very serious one. Possibly, this could be something that is in more dire need of attention then just about anything else I can think of. Let’s talk about it.

In all wars, children are the true victims. A vast amount of children in Iraq and Afghanistan are living in some very harsh and hostile environments. In Iraq, six years of war and violence have affected the everyday lives of Iraqi youth. Many have lost their families and homes, and continue to live their lives in ramshackle IDP camps. The children have no constructive outlets to express their pain, fear, frustration, and possibly the worst feeling of all: hopelessness.

These disengaged Iraqi youth are more vulnerable to insurgent recruitment, radicalization, and extremist views, while many others are continually coerced, used, threatened, or physically forced into extremist militias and insurgent groups. With 61% of Iraqis under the age of 25, this should be like a huge alarm clock reminded us of the past. If you don’t think we may be in the midst of history repeating itself, take a moment to read or watch “Charlie Wilson’s War”. Action must be taken to help the children of Iraq!

The people of Afghanistan have been living amid war for over 30 years. Due to the long effects of war and the few opportunities for the youth of the country, Afghanistan has become a breeding ground for extremist ideology…and children are often seen as nothing more then new recruits to those who wish to force their extremist ideology on the peaceful inhabitants of Afghanistan. Over the next three years, millions of young people will graduate from high school in Afghanistan, however with less than 50,000 going on to college, the lack of options and economic opportunities among the remaining kids makes them highly susceptible for recruitment by the Taliban and other sadistic extremist groups.

If these problems are not addressed there will indeed be a new generation of violence and terrorism. This isn’t just a problem for Iraq and Afghanistan anymore. As we have learned, terrorism can strike us here at home as well. I don’t want my future children to have to fight in the same type of war as I have. This vicious cycle must stop, and it begins with projects like that of War Kids Relief. Please  take a moment to look them over. If you feel you want to help us, please donate to War Kids Relief. You truly can make a difference for a child who otherwise may be vulnerable to insurgent recruitment.

Thank you everybody,

Gunnar

 ““Let peace in Iraq begin with the protection of children.” (Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Ms. Radhika Coomaraswamy, 2008)