Imagine being a mother in Uganda, laying awake throughout the night, waiting for your children to be kidnapped by rebel soldiers. You know that even if your children do survive the march to the rebel base camp, they will be trained to become ruthless killers.

This frightening reality, shown in the eye-opening film, Children Without Childhood, was shown at the University of Tennessee's Library Auditorium on Sunday, Nov. 16.

As soon as the movie began, its viewers were transported out of the safety of UT's library and into the dangerous reality of Uganda.

In Uganda, a country in Africa, it is not the government that kidnaps children from their mother's arms but their own people. This familiar enemy is known as the Lord's Resistance Army and is led by Joseph Kony. It began as an armed rebellion against the Ugandan government. The army was also once Christian-based and was meant to live by the Ten Commandments. However, the Lord's Resistance Army no longer speaks of such things.

The Lord's Resistance Army now violates the Ten Commandments at every turn. They murder, kidnap children, and enforce sexual slavery.

"Children make the best soldiers. They just need the right training," Joseph Kony stated.

Children are taken by the rebels at a very young age. If they resist or try to escape from the camp, they are killed.

In one village, seventy children were taken in one night. Life has now stopped in that village. Everyone just sits and waits for news of their abducted children.

"Both children gone. What can I live for," laments one mother whose son and daughter were both taken.

However, there is a small ray of hope for the parents of stolen children. Many wish that their children may be able to escape back to their village or escape to a rehabilitation center. 

These rehabilitation centers are centered around former child soldiers. At these centers the children must relearn how to live among people. They are able to attend school as well. Those at the rehabilitation center are encouraged to sing and dance to chase away bad memories.

"I don't remember many people I killed, but I remember one. I killed him and then took his jacket," recalls 13-year-old Tarta of his time in the Lord's Resistance Army.

It is not just young boys who are unwillingly taken by the holy rebels, young girls are abducted as well. However, they are not trained as soldiers. Girls are taken back to the rebel camp as prospective brides for commanders and worthy fighters. Girls who refuse to submit are killed immediately.

However, girls are more than welcome at the rehabilitation center. One girl, who was cast aside after the soldier discovered she was pregnant, found her way to the center and is now raising her young child there.

The rehabilitation center offers children a new start and hope for the future. For instance, Tarta, who was abducted when he was only six, is now thirteen and an apprentice for a tailor.

"I much prefer the needle now. I want to sew and sell children's clothing . . . I can make a living from that," Tarta said.

The children in Uganda put on skits and sing songs to focus their painful memories. They sing of anger towards what they have been forced to endure and through their songs they also plead for help.

" Come and see the suffering of the Acholi . . . adults we ask you what will you do," sing the war-torn children of the Acholi.