what is it liked to be a refugee of war?

The children were brainwashed by Lieutenant Jabati's speeches:

They have lost everything that makes them human. They do not deserve to live. That is why we must kill every single one of them. Think of it as destroying a great evil. It is the highest service you can perform for your country." The lieutenant pulled out his pistol and fired two shots into the air. People began shouting, "We must kill them all. We must make sure they never walk this earth again." All of us hated the rebels, and we were more than determined to stop them from capturing the village. Everyone's face had begun to sadden and grow tense.

Beah goes from being a gentle happy boy to a child soldier:

“My squad is my family, my gun is my provider, and protector, and my rule is to kill or be killed.”