Out Of The Frying Pan, Into The Freezer

Interviews By Martina Kix

Photos By Tanja Kernweiss

*Names have been changed and faces have been obscured for obvious reasons.

WILLIAM, 16, SIERRA LEONE

Vice: Hello, William. Thanks for traveling all the way from Böbrach to Munich to chat. I hope it wasn’t a hassle.

William:

The civil war in Sierra Leone has been over since 2002. How did you manage to escape?

What happened at the camp?

How close did you come to being killed?

Were you ever forced into combat?

What haunts you the most about your time with the RUF?

My God. And somehow you managed to escape. Can you tell us about that?

What were your first impressions of Germany?

What’s it like where you’re living now?

Do you feel welcome here?

What are your plans for the future?

MOHAMMAD, 16, AFGHANISTAN

Vice: Hey, Mohammad. So you want to do this interview in German? It’s pretty impressive that you know the language already.

Mohammad:

What led to your departure from Afghanistan?

Tell us about how you escaped.

Did the Taliban kill a lot of people in your village?

When did you arrive in Germany?

How was your journey?

Did you have to pay the people who helped you make it through?

Why Germany?

I’m sure there are plenty of differences between here and Afghanistan.

Have you had any issues with Germany’s infamous asylum laws?

Your apartment is pretty nice, but do you ever miss home?

What do you do in your free time?

PAUL, 22, SIERRA LEONE

Vice: Is it OK to ask about your voyage to Germany and how your new life compares to your time as a soldier?

Paul:

Fair enough. How did you begin fighting for the RUF?

I understand. Please ignore any questions you don’t want to answer. What happened when you got to the camp? Did they train you?

I’ve heard stories that RUF leaders ply kids with drugs and alcohol to get them to join. Is this true?

What happened to the kids who didn’t obey?

Did you have any specific duties during your time as a soldier?

How did you manage to escape?

Wasn’t there also fighting in Guinea around that time? Were other soldiers looking for you?

How much did you have to pay the smugglers?

Wow, how did such a young boy get that kind of money?

OK. Did they even tell you where the ship was going?

Did you see any other kids?

Were there any problems with your asylum application?

Are you working now?

You say “we.” Do you have a girlfriend?

Is there still a place in your heart for Sierra Leone? Do you miss it sometimes?

Have you told your children about your past?