CONGO. Soldiers from the nine-year-long Congolese civil war are being rehabilitated through Scripture.

They are receiving aid from Bible Society of Congo and eight NGOs – as part of a government plan to get veterans of the conflict back into normal life.

Packs are being sent out which include a copy of Parole de Vie Bible in basic French and a booklet entitled What is the Bible? Veteran Isaac Moussanda said he experienced ‘a moment of happiness’ on receiving them.

Organised by the government’s National Programme for Demobilisation, Disarmament and Rehabilitation of Former Soldiers (NPDDR), the aim is to start reintegrating the soldiers – including some who fought as children.

‘These Scriptures will help them in their lives,’ said Christophe Nséké of the Association for Training and Local Development, ‘and will be a vital contribution to all our work.’ The association enables former soldiers to set up and run micro-projects.