HBL 25 May

1) All over the world, in war-torn countries, children are constantly being recruited as soldiers. Children can take direct part in hostilities (child soldiers), or they can be used in support roles such as porters, spies, messengers or they can be used for political advantage either as human shields or for propaganda. International human rights law state that minors under 15 are not allowed to take part in direct hostilities while minors under 18 but above 15 are allowed to take part under their consent. Many innocent children are harmed as they do not know what is right from wrong when being recruited. For example, in places like Rwanda, Zimbabwe and Afghanistan children are being abducted and forced to be participate in these types of activities.

2)

Steps in Analysis
	Point	Evidence	Elaboration
1.	Point of View Point of view of the author	“Will their life and blood be poured Down some endless thirsty hole ”	This shows how the author feels about the children who died and it express and solemn yet sad emotion as the author illustrates the loss of life.
2.	Situation and Setting Children are deprived from education and forced to fight.	“Chalk and blackboards will not be To this door there is no key From this life they can not flee And these children are not free Could we simply light a candle Could we give them half a chance Could we teach them how to read Could we teach them how to dance”	This shows what happens to these children in war-torn countries. They are not able to receive education and they can not flee from their current state of life.
3	Language/ Diction Rhymes	Every last word of the second and fourth line of the stanza rhymes	This emphasises how the children are suffering and it gives the reader an “re-occurring” feeling.
4	Personal Response I feel that these children are very pitiful as they are forced into wars which they do not even know or understand about. They are forced to fight and are deprived from education. We should appreciate our education and lives as we are more fortunate than these poor children.	“Chalk and blackboards will not be To this door there is no key From this life they can not flee And these children are not free” “Could we simply light a candle Could we give them half a chance Could we teach them how to read Could we teach them how to dance Or will a war consume them Their body and their soul Will their life and blood be poured Down some endless thirsty hole”	We all lived in such a safe and peaceful country where there is no war. We have education, luxuries and sufficient food and water. Yet, many youths complain about how education in boring and tiring. I feel that we should toss aside this mindset and think about how other children around the world are suffering. Thus, we should appreciate what we have and donate to organisations which help aid these unfortunate children.