Testimony of a Theater of the Oppressed Actor:From Ex-rebel to peacemaker by Olivier Kamina

My famous nickname of KAMINA was given to me by my young sister,who i meet at home after more than Six years without news,it's name come from the Military base KAMINA the current capital the Haut Lomami Pronvince in Democratic Reûblic of the Congo; where i had decided to leave the army and rebellion life.

During more than six years,i was in a rebellion group in the East of the Democratic Republic of the Congo,i was fighting knowing that this wars was ours,we woked hard with foreigners armies,but it's six years after i realized that ''the war is made by people who know well all the war program,even the rank and the work in case of successes pre-etablished and we as simple are only loot on a dice game played by our commanders and rebel leaders,unfortunately it's up to us to die.there is a big different between enlisting for the loyal army and being part of a rebellion group,even worse if it's foreign.I can never allow young people to join the rebellion''

we were rebellion and today i bitterly regret my lost time there;facing the liars from the leaders,they don't mind if you die or survive,you as soldiers are only a way to help them to gain and conquer power,rebellions soldiers are not able to change theirs own life many of them are living to destroy,looting of the peasants property and to steal the population cattle and food,the rebellion life remains the same nothing change and no family member knows where you are and what you are going through.

For me war is a genesis of poverty,a dangerous hobby,a horrible thing that gives you a heart of wild beast,you can do any thing if you spend your life and your time scaring others and being afraid of others.

Amani Kwetu International in his Theatrer of the oppressed team opened up my mind to resilient methods that can help youth for peace this theatrical approach is unique an now my vision is to save lives and empower young people no longer make the same mistake i did

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Olivier KAMINA actor of theater pf the Oppressed at Amani Kwetu International