the globe gang B Y M AG N U S B E R G M A R & K A R I N S Ö D E R G R E N
The Globe Gang travels all over the world to collect children’s stories about violations of the rights of the child.
The Gang will be getting a new assignment from the Head of the UN. You will travel to Sudan, meet Machiek and make his voice heard all over the world. But don’t take risks!
Sudan is Africa’s largest country. Civil war has been fought there for 20 years.
The Gang consists of Nomza from South Africa, Tove from Sweden, Raju from India, Hun from Vietnam, Amelia from Peru and Hema from Egypt.
SUDAN khartoum
They are brought here. Here, children are abducted.
Welcome! I’m James Aguer.
The sun has just risen when the Globe Gang lands in Khartoum, Sudan’s capital city.
Here in the north, most of the people are Arabs. In the south, most are Dinkas.
James has been imprisoned 33 times, and two of his colleagues were killed when they tried to free children from forced labour. Thus far, his group has liberated 2,000 children. How do you dare continuing to free children?
Even if it kills me, I must do it. Who else would?
That must be James! How tall he is!
There are many children left to be freed, and now we have support from the Sudanese government.
Wow! James is a true hero!
How do you go about it?
That way, we can move about without awakening suspicion.
The children are prisoners of the Arabs. I am a Dinka, the same as most of the abducted children. But Arabs help us too.
We dress like the people who have taken the children.
What are you doing here?
We stop and talk with children that we think might have been abducted.
Looking for my cows.
Where do you come from and what’s your name?
I’ve met five abducted children.
I’m called Adut. I was abducted and taken here.
What did he want? He spoke Dinka…
Honoured Sultan! We’ve found children here who have been abducted.
And I’ve met three! Let’s visit the Sultan tomorrow.
We beg you to help us free the children! Ahmed, follow James and make sure the children are freed.
We’re going now to liberate a boy called Machiek
Sometimes we run into sultans who won’t help us.
Don’t show your face around here again!
Shouldn’t we have long shirts and skullcaps? Yes, let’s go buy some!
At a distance, you almost look like an African!
At the same time, a boy, who has been bound up every night for the last four years, awakens. WAKE UP, MACHIEK!
The sun has just risen. EAT! OTHERWISE, WE’LL BEAT YOU!
When you’ve eaten, fetch fire from our neighbour!
As usual, they pour a little sand into the porridge to show their power over Machiek.
MAKE SURE that all the goats follow you home!
We’ll soon be there. Is it far?
Machiek goes to fetch fire from the neighbour.
Hey, Manol! Wait for me!
Hurry up, otherwise I’ll get a beating!
Who are they?
They’re people who save children like us!
WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR?
James, look! Here they come running!
Get onto the truck! We have to save more children today!
Who are you!
We’re from different countries. We’re here to listen to what you have to say.
We must hurry before it gets dark.
It began one day when I was seven. I was playing with my friends…
Faster, Kuot!
We want to hear your story… and tell it to children all over the world.
HELP, THE MILITIA IS COMING!
STOP, or I’ll shoot you!
MUM!
Machiek!
Dad! NO!
YOU! HURRY UP!
They shove me into a box…
I’ll take the woman, the boy and…
…and I see that they tie up my mum.
I’ll take the other boys!
I’m glad that mum’s with me.
You must clean up, fetch wood and cook!
And you must tend the cows and the goats!
Now don’t you dare try to escape, I warn you!
After a few months, mum wakes me one night… We must escape, Machiek!
Yes, Master.
Run, Machiek, run!
Your mother is dead. Don’t try to escape!
Every night I think of mum and dad, and I cry.
I almost gave up hope until you and James turned up.
The years go by. It’s impossible to escape by day.
Night after night, my body trembles. We’ll nominate James for the World’s Children’s Prize for the Rights of the Child!
This year’s three finalists for the World’s Children’s Prize for the Rights of the Child have been chosen. They are the liberator of abducted children, James Aguer…
Aguer
Yipp ie!
Is your school also a Global Friend? Yes! And now we’re learning about the three finalists and the children they fight for.
Because the Globe Gang is a Global Friend, they get to nominate candidates for the prize.
The rights of the child are discussed, exhibits are put on display, and the Global Vote is organised.
Who has the electoral register?
In schools all around the world, children read the prize magazine…
…and visit the prize website, www. childrensworld.org
The results of the vote are reported via the ballot-box on the Internet, or via e-mail or fax. In 26 countries, 287 808 children have voted.
All over the world, schools and children’s groups are taking part in the Global Vote to decide who will receive the Global Friends’ Award. …this year’s Global Friends’ Award on
JAMES AGUER!
Who’ll write the press release?
I request that Her Majesty bestow…
The Prize Ceremony is held at Gripsholm Castle in Mariefred, Sweden.
For the prize money, James is able to free 100 children and get communication equipment.