The Stacey Dooley Investigates Collection Season 1 Episode 2 Kids with Machetes

In season 1 episode 2 of The Stacey Dooley Investigates Collection, titled Kids with Machetes, Stacey Dooley travels to the Democratic Republic of Congo to investigate the use of child soldiers in armed conflicts.

The episode begins with Dooley meeting with a former child soldier named Gérard. Gérard tells her about his experience being abducted by armed groups and forced to fight at a young age, as well as his current work helping to rehabilitate child soldiers. He introduces Dooley to several other former child soldiers who share their stories with her.

Dooley then travels to the eastern region of the country, where she meets with a group of children who have been living in a camp for displaced persons. Many of these children were forced to flee their homes due to violence and conflict, and they are now living in dire conditions without access to proper food or healthcare.

While in the eastern region, Dooley also meets with members of a local militia group who are notorious for their use of child soldiers. She talks to a commander named Colonel Amulo who claims that his group only uses children for defensive purposes, but Dooley is skeptical and suspects that the children are being exploited for more than just defense.

Throughout the episode, Dooley emphasizes the devastating impact that armed conflict can have on children. She highlights the long-term effects of being forced to participate in violence, including psychological trauma and difficulty reintegrating into society. She also points out the systemic failures that contribute to the use of child soldiers, such as poverty and lack of access to education.

In the final segment of the episode, Dooley meets with a young boy named Moïse who was recruited to be a child soldier when he was just six years old. Moïse shares his story with Dooley, describing the brutal training and abuse he endured during his time in the militia. Despite his traumatic experiences, Moïse expresses hope for the future and dreams of becoming a doctor.

Overall, Kids with Machetes is a heart-wrenching look at the use of child soldiers in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Dooley's empathetic approach to the subject allows her to connect with the children and former child soldiers she meets, and she does an excellent job of highlighting the complex issues at play in this humanitarian crisis. The episode is a must-watch for anyone interested in the human toll of armed conflict.