Mateus is 15 years old. He has been a UNITA  soldier for 5 years. Six months ago he ran away from his military unit.

He has been debriefed by the Angolan army, and has been sent back to his village. Some of the village elders meet him outside the village.

As a UNITA soldier, Mateus has been forced to attack and kill his own people. To allow for reconciliation and a new start, the village has reinvented old ceremonies to cleanse the boy from his evil spirits.

Mateus is kept in a hut outside the village for a week. The elders sing and chant, and call upon the spirits to cleanse the boy. At the end of the ceremony, Mateus's clothes are burned,  he is lead naked to the river where he is washed, and then given new clothes.

Mateus can now enter the village. His people accept him and the old evils have been forgiven.

There are thousands of children like Mateus in Angola. Mateus is the lucky one. He still has loving relatives who can help him to overcome the past and start a new life. Many others are still fighting, have been killed or maimed.

Mateus and the other children in Angola who have  had their lives destroyed by war, are the result of adults that do not take responsibility for the consequences of their actions. When will the powers that created and supported UNITA for so many years, take the responsibility to clean up the mess they left behind?

Development instructors needed for Angola now, now!
Social work with street children - work in in refugee camps - rebuild schools and clinics

We have special scholarships for start in May
Special Action Team to Angola, DRH Tvind (10 months programme)
ChildAid Team to Angola, DRH Bustrup (14 months programme)

Contact Joern Balsen, now for info on how to get a scholarship!