Out of War: True Stories from the Front Lines of the Children's Movement for Peace in Columbia

This book confirms Colombia's intimate relationship with war. However, "Out of War; True Stories From the Front Lines," offers a frightening new dimension of the conflict. Author Sara Cameron documents the tragic lifes of young poor Colombians who are disgusted with the violence and seek to reduce the warfare by fostering a better understanding of peace. On the one hand, this book is uplifting. It is a sparkling display of courage. However, sprinkled throughout nearly each narrative is the reality that death is always present and that the violent actors still continue the pattern of killing unarmed civilians. The reality is so great that not one of the young poor adults that writes a testimony of how the conflict has impacted them dares to point a finger to whom is responsible for the murder and intimidation. All are careful to remain neutral and not trigger the anger of those responsible for the ruthless violence in Colombia. Hats off to Redepaz(Colombia's Peace Network),UNICEF, The Red Cross and the Catholic Church for nurturing peace among the young. This book also provides useful web sites to learn more about the children's movement for peace in Colombia. Upon completing this book one is filled with pride for the bravery of the young in Colombia. But one is also saddened by the stark reality that the young suffer a great deal. Finally, this book promotes a greater awareness of the children's movement for peace but also drives home the fact that the young are defenseless to the harm of poverty and violence in Colombia.

Fortunately I did not experience the terror of mass murder, rape and callous torture as a child. For the children of Columbia such experiences are an every day occurrence. The courage of the young people whose stories Cameron relates is extraordinary. How does an ordinary fifteen year old girl rise to become a leader of children in a mass movement to bring peace to a country where war is the norm? How do children as young as eleven overcome their anger and personal pain to tell their fellow sufferers that anger and revenge will not work as well as forgiveness and conciliation? This true story of The Children's Peace Movement of Columbia makes chilling reading, but it is also inspiring and enriching. Cameron's simple and eminently readable style allows the children to speak for themselves and she does not fall into the traps of sentimentality or open-mouthed wonder. She allows them to relate their experiences, their failures and successes, to tell of their feelings, their joys, their hopes and their fears, and, most of all, of their overwhelming wish to bring peace to this shattered country.My hat comes off to Sara Cameron for drawing the attention of the world to the work of these heroic children. I hope that her book will give them a platform from which they can continue to build the peace they so richly deserve.

"Out of War" has some amazing stories of Colombian teenagers who have survived the terrible violence that is tearing their country apart. Juan Elias has to cope with the murder of his father and cousin and the persecution of his family. Wilfrido lives in a town where assassins ride by killing people and armed groups recruit children as soldiers. The gangs that dominate Maritza's community sometimes attract her, but then she tries to make peace between them. This is true of all the young people in the book. They suffer from the violence but then they try to do something about it. Alberto's brother was kidnapped by one of the armed groups but still Alberto, who is only 15 years old, runs peace workshops for kids. He says he is working for forgiveness. He says that it is especially important for people like him who have suffered in the war to forgive because without forgiveness there cannot be peace. There still isn't peace in Colombia but Mayerly (who is 16 and whose best friend was murdered) says that we should never give up on peace, no matter how hard it is or how long it takes, because if you give up how will you ever achieve it. The book is not long. I read it in one go. Once I started reading I couldn't stop. I thought it was one of the most important books I have read, especially now! I recommend it to everyone, whether you are young or old because it can give hope to everyone.