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"The fact that you
know more about us
makes us feel a lot
better."
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Khaled, 11th Grade Amman, Jordan |
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Programs
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PULSE: Sierra Leone with Michael Douglas
This special PULSE videoconference explored the plight of former child soldiers in Sierra Leone who fought during this country’s decade-long civil war. In the first part of the video conference, Michael Douglas described what he once called “one of the most moving experiences I have ever had,” when he traveled as a UN Messenger for Peace to film an episode for the Showtime family television series, What’s Going On? During the second part of the conference, students from 2 Ambassador (interactive) schools had the opportunity to ask questions directly to Michael Douglas about the making of the movie and his role as a UN Ambassador of Peace. Videoconference: PULSE Sierra Leone Special with Michael Douglas Date: Thursday, November 17, 2005
It was Michael’s encounter with one young boy named Abu Bakar Bangura that touched him very deeply. Abu was living at the Child Protection Care Center run by UNICEF partner, the International Rescue Committee (IRC). Hundreds of children have passed through the Center and were reunited with their families, but Abu’s parents had not yet been located. Abu was closed off, but Michael kept searching for ways to reach him. As they talked, Michael let Abu set the pace, following with gentle questions about his life as a child soldier. He sensed that there was a little boy inside the tough shell and decided to try a song as a way of getting through. Abu listened intently as Michael sang, “A Bushel and a Peck,” a song he used to sing for his own son. Then Abu announced that he had a song for Michael. The world famous actor was clearly moved as Abu’s gentle voice revealed the sweet child within. “For every child the key to unlock the little boy or girl is different. For Abu it was a song,” said Douglas. Douglas decided to travel by UN helicopter with Abu and T-Boy, the IRC assistant program manager, to a village in search of Abu’s family, although no one knew for sure where Abu came from because he had been abducted when he was very small and did not remember his home. The car, which was supposed to pick them up, never arrived, so the film crew, Michael, T-Boy, and Abu set out on foot, stopping at villages along the way to check on directions and ask if anyone knew about Abu's family. But no one did. As Abu strode out alone, ahead of the small group, Douglas sensed the young boy’s loneliness. “The search has been so draining. I can’t imagine what Abu is going through,” he said. Finally, they arrived at the village and waited for the local elder to meet them. Then suddenly, Abu leapt to his feet and rushed towards a woman. Douglas was overwhelmed when he saw Abu running to his mother. Unbelievably, and completely unplanned, they had found Abu’s family. “It’s incredible to see Abu in his mother’s arms. I never expected to see Abu reunited with his family,” said Douglas. "This moment could not have been scripted better."
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As a UN Messenger for Peace, Michael went to the small West African country
of Sierra Leone to film an episode on child soldiers for the Showtime family
television series, What’s Going On? This episode explores how
child soldiers, who were abducted and forced to participate in atrocious acts
during Sierra Leone’s decade-long civil war, can be reconciled with their
families and reintegrated back into their communities. Michael described his
encounters with these children as “one of the most moving experiences
I have ever had.” 
