Children as living witnesses of armed conflict in Central Mindanao : some unheard voices

Abstract

This study explored the lived experiences of ten children as witnesses of armed conflict in affected areas in Maguindanao. I utilized qualitative-phenomenology to go deeply into the realm of these children and listen to their unheard voices. The determination of participants was done through purposive sampling. In-depth interviews were conducted with the individual participants. Several themes in each of the three domains (experiences, coping mechanisms, and insights) emerged in the analysis such as disturbing and life-threatening episodes, emotional and psychological trauma, evacuation difficulties and challenges, trusting in divine providence, engaging in pleasurable activities, evading and putting life on hold, our lives on the edge, we long for peace and security, we have to learn how to survive, and we are calling for help. This study revealed then that the children who have been witnesses of armed conflict consider risk due to strayed bullets, limitation of food supplies, bites of mosquitos, cold nights, and limited space shared by many in the evacuation center as their prevailing encountered problems, and they cope with them by forgetting, ignoring, diverting, believing and wishing that God will make them rich, and by thinking that their dreams will be realized someday. Their messages are for the world to know their experienced situations so they can be helped by people, government, and other organizations in terms of praying, giving assistance, and dialogue to end war. Keywords: social work, children, armed conflict-affected areas, unheard voices, Maguindanao, Philippines