As many as 300,000 child soldiers are currently being forced to fight around the world. The UN deems it a global security issue because radicalized, militant, dehumanized children grow up to be radicalized, militant, dehumanized adults. One of the most egregious episodes in modern history was Joseph Kony’s 30-year reign of terror in Uganda, southern Sudan, and Congo as his Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) kidnapped as many as 37,000 boys and girls, turning the males into fearsome, soulless soldiers and the girls into slaves, sexual and otherwise. Two of those young people—Anthony Opoka and Florence Okori—escaped and survived to later bear witness at the LRA war crimes trial in the Hague. Their harrowing and triumphant story is the basis for ALL THE GLIMMERING STARS and was brought to Sullivan by a former squadron commander of SEAL Team 6 and the former CIA chief in Uganda.  “In an earlier life I was a Peace Corps volunteer in Africa, and I responded to the tale and the cause immediately. I went to Uganda and spent weeks with Anthony and Florence. I also came away believing that their story brought to life in a novel could have a dramatic impact on the way kids in war zones are treated. To that end, I wrote the novel with the intention that it would not only grip readers with a remarkable story well-told, but also contribute to End Child Soldiering, a non-profit that works to prevent kids being forced into combat and to rehabilitate youngsters who have already suffered that tragedy.” Despite its haunting depiction of the shocking and desperate situation Anthony, Florence and many others endured, ALL THE GLIMMERING STARS is a remarkably life-affirming tale, filled with humanity and love.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/arroe-collins-unplugged-totally-uncut--994165/support.