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Project: AK-47 is a team of people who are always ready to invade the next hopeless situation for children in armed conflict. Our staff members on the ground are nationals who are committed to rescuing and restoring the lives of children who otherwise would only know lives of violence and exploitation. We also do a fair share of raising awareness and advocacy for these children, but we don't stop there. We can't stop there. And we hope that you won't either.
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Why are we called "Project: AK-47?" Isn't that a gun?
We are neither anti-guns nor anti-military by any means, but we are against the use of children in armed conflict. The AK-47 is the assault rifle of choice for most resistance armies, militias and terrorist organizations in developing nations, due to its low cost and ease of use. While we do not blame the AK-47 itself or its inventor for the violence that has proliferated since its creation in 1947, the AK-47 was one of the many factors that enabled armed groups to use children in combat, since even a child can shoot one.
The child soldiers we rescue spend an average of 7 years in the military as children (i.e., before the age of 18). Our $7 monthly giving campaign helps us rescue children from this reality and provide for needs like shelter, food, clothing, education and LOVE. Hence, our name, as well as our slogan, "A Killer for 7 Years or A Kid for 7 Dollars."
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About Child Soldiers
Child soldiers are boys and girls aged 3-17 who are raised in hopeless environments and trained to kill. They navigate one of the cruelest forms of modern day slavery, often experiencing physical, psychological, and/or sexual abuse in addition to the horror of being forced into armed conflict. Governments deny their existence, leaving them a nameless, faceless generation whose identity, voice and innocence have been stolen.
It is easy to vilify those who exploit children in this way, but that is not our stance. In many cases, these groups are fighting for the survival of their people and feel they have no other alternative.
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The Mission of Project: AK-47
Project AK-47 brings awareness across cultures through artistic media and grassroots movements on behalf of children in armed conflict and soldiering. We negotiate the release of these children by disarming elements like poverty and injustice that motivate conflict, providing the relationships and resources to facilitate their healing and growth into peaceful influencers of their societies.
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Still want to know more? Contact us.
We're more than happy to answer any questions you might have about our work, organization, child soldiers, justice issues, or anything else you care to ask us. We welcome the distraction. You can reach our office at 615.212.AK47 or you can email us by clicking the button below.
The first critical step in caring for children in armed conflict is fairly obvious: rescue. We diplomatically (without military force) negotiate the release of these children by building relationships with the armed groups that use them and by investing in what they believe is important for their communities. In most cases, these groups highly value education, which has opened doors for us to rescue more children and prevent many children from becoming involved in the conflict.
Once we rescue a child, the not-so-glamorous work of walking them through a process of healing begins. One of the most immediate needs is physical healing, as many children come to us in very bad health, but emotional healing is also a vital part of caring for those rescued. This involves a long-term commitment on our part. We provide a stable, loving, family environment to the children and commit to mentoring them through their development as young adults.
People often ask us why we don't relocate the children from their home countries to safer locations. We are often tempted to do so, but we realize that the only way these children are going to rise up as the next generation of leaders in their societies is for them to maintain their cultural identity. We provide them with an outstanding K-12 education, as well as vocational training and university preparation in some cases, and walk with them until they are healthy, independent adults.
