Reclaiming children of war: Jhon Freddy

We help them understand that they are valuable human beings who deserve an opportunity.

— Esperanza, child soldier rehabilitation programme manager

Jhon Freddy (pictured here) didn’t have much of a future when he joined the FARC at age 13. He supported his family by harvesting coca leaves for cocaine production. Today, after three years as a guerrilla, he’s taking full advantage of the opportunity to learn a trade while at the reintegration programme’s vocational school. He wants to finish his studies and become a mechanical engineer.

Learn more about how Mercy Corps is helping Colombia's child soldiers start over in our special report: Reclaiming children of war.