In 1997 there were an estimated 15,000 children under arms in Liberia. The prevalence of weapons like the lightweight AK-47 rifle made it simple enough for even a 10-year old to fight as an adult.
Working in conjunction with UNICEF I came across these two child soldiers from the Small Boys Unit on the road near Gbarnga.
It was a deeply disturbing encounter. One minute ready to riddle me with bullets, the next a little boy lost.