Partner NGO’s and CBO’s, schools and the local administration came together to speak loud and clear on the Day Of The African Child in Makindu town on Saturday 16 June 2007. With marching, chanting and singing, a procession made its way from the Makindu Children’s Centre to the Makindu Sub-District Hospital, where the children’s ward was the venue for the distribution of milk to the young and infant patients.
The large entourage then proceeded to the Makindu District Officer’s (DO’s) camp getting free biscuits from the Sikh Temple along the way. At the DO’s camp a kaleidoscope of musical and artistic presentations displayed all that is best in the African child and the great depth of talent that lies within the children. There was choral singing, traditional dancing, poems and rap. The schools involved are institutions where HWWK has trained peer educators and representatives from the CBO’s present have been trained in psychosocial support.
For HWWK it was the first significant collaboration between the ABC and OVC programs in Kibwezi district.
The Day Of The African Child began as a occasion in memory of black South African school children who were massacred in 1976 for demonstrating against being taught in the Afrikaans language, but is observed annually now to highlight various needs and challenges faced by the African child that need attention and action. This year’s theme in Kenya was “Combat Child Trafficking.”
The partners who organized the Makindu event were Access To Care Kiunduani (ACCK), the African Network for the Prevention and Protection Against Child Abuse And Neglect (ANPPCAN), Makindu Children’s Centre (MCC), Church On The Rock, the local administration (District Commissioner’s Office) and HWWK.
Many of the presentations in Makindu addressed the issue of HIV and AIDS. The groups that presented the day’s cocktail of music, poetry and dance, spiced with colour and variety and served with energy and rhythm, were Kiambani Primary School, Makindu ‘A’ Primary School, Kai Primary School, Kibwezi Township primary School, Nguumo Primary School, Masahapa OVC’s, Sauti OVC’s, MCC, Makindu Centre Of HOPE Kids Club, ACCK, Ngenda OVC’s and Tumaini OVC’s.
Guest singer for the occasion was Kariuki Gathitu (left), a finalist from the recent East Africa talent search called “Project Fame.” He donated his time and sang the song “You Raise Me Up” to focus the hearts of all present on the need to pledge to the children that we will raise them up, and also to express to them that by their brightness, energy and joy, they raise us all up.
Speakers from the various groups that organized the event put the cause of children in the spotlight. Dorothy from the African Network for the Prevention and Protection Against Child Abuse And Neglect (ANPPCAN) said, “Children need to be heard and should be given a chance to have a better understanding of their rights and responsibilities.” Mwaguma Salim from an advocacy group that deals with child rights said, “Parents, love your children and encourage them to speak out if abused.”
Jacinta Ndunge, an orphan in high school, shared various challenges that orphans face such as lack of peace and love, lack of domestic unity and lesser accessibility to good education, and also counseled, “Children, be patient with your guardians and listen when they advise.”
Rayola Osanya-Nyynéque from HWWK made the call, “Let us make policies, programs and decisions that show that we love, respect and value children and their role in society.” Cecilia Lirhunde from HWWK head office represented the OVC program, gave an overview of its activities, and urged, “Parents and teachers should fully nurture the talents of children, which are in great evidence today.”
Lead pastor from the Church On The Rock said boldly and brightly, “Children of Africa, take courage because your future is bright.”
The guest of honour was the District Officer, Angela Wanyama (right), who represented the District Commissioner. Before she spoke she brought the children together for an all-out dance fiesta, bringing out the brightest and fullest of the youngsters’ vivacity. Suggesting that next time there should be children’s games at such an occasion, Ms. Wanyama then read the District Commissioner’s speech. “Sexual exploitation and other vices target the girl child, orphans and vulnerable children,” the DC said. “Child prostitution and trafficking are on the increase,” he added, “so all stakeholders must come together and join forces to curb this.”
The DO then gave out awards to all participating groups. There were refreshments for all followed by lunch hosted at the Makindu Children’s Centre.
In giving the vote of thanks, Sylvia, a primary school pupil, implored, “I am calling all my fellow children to listen to their parents.”
As it says in the song “You Raise Me Up,” “You raise me up so I can stand on mountains/ You raise me up to walk on stormy seas/ I am strong when I am on your shoulders/ You raise me up to more than I can be.” All of us who have the capacity to do anything at all, little or large, within our spheres of influence, must commit to being the shoulders which will be the platforms from which the African child will be raised up to attain and achieve the fullest power, promise and potential of its future.
