New Zealand
Henang, Nepal
Henang's Story
Henang* had no choice when he was kidnapped, aged 13, by Maoist guerrillas in Nepal.
“It was purely chance that it was me. When the Maoists came to our school and asked the way to the nearest village, terrified pupils ran in all directions. A guerrilla soldier pointed his pistol at me and threatened to kill me if I didn’t go with them.”
When Henang finally escaped after nine months, he was covered with marks and scars from beatings. He was terrified of his commander. “I tried many times to get away. Every time I was caught and beaten by the commander. He always watched me, threatened me and hit me. I hated him.” That is why he didn’t have any second thoughts about killing the commander one evening when the opportunity came.
DownloadHenang was taken into custody by the army, who immediately pressured him to tell them which villages had co-operated with the guerrillas – and the villages were punished. Now Henang cannot go home because he is seen as an informer and traitor. But he is relieved to be safe in the UCEP centre, where teenagers can receive rehabilitation and training. The centre, supported by Save the Children, has a secret address for children who were previously soldiers.
* Henang's name has been changed to protect his identity.
Other Children's Stories:
Pindi (Angola) » Sarah (Southern Sudan) » Henang (Nepal) » Omar (Sudan) » Sifa (DRC) » John (Uganda ) » Mirwais (Afghanistan) »