African Child's Day

On June 16^th all of Africa celebrates African Child’s Day.  At Tumaini we were very excited to praise our children for how great they are.  We invited people from the community, including the children’s parents and families to come watch the children perform songs and dances.  After that, the Dutch girls and I helped serve the families lunch.  Although I was a little burnt out on serving when I left home (sorry Harry’s) it felt so good to be able to serve these people!  Later Rose told us they thought it was really neat to be served by Monzugus (white people)!  Here is a speech that was being read in the city that Vivian, one of our star pupils, read to us:

Ladies and gentlemen, children of Kakamega North District irrespective of your age, gender, race, religious affiliation, physical or mental challenges, I salute you on this historical day in the calendar of Africa and Kenya in particular.

It will not be a sign of being disrespectful of your status in the society but allow me to set records right that:

v  A child is anybody below the age of 18 years

v  Has a right to access basic needs; food, shelter, medication.  Clothing and parental guidance.

v  It’s the responsibility of the government and you as our parents/guardian to ensure that our needs are taken care of.

Let me also remind you that in 1976, in South Africa during the reign of Apartheid, due to discrimination against blacks, it took the courage of African children to go on the street demonstrating against the discrimination, at which over 100 children were shot dead while over 1,000 were injured.  This led to African nation in 1991 to coin the Day of the African Child as a day to remember the courageous steps our fellow brothers and sister took to liberate themselves in spite of the ill treatment from the Boers (white).

On the same note as we gather today to remember them, it’s also worthy to not that there are so many children endangered and with special needs i.e.:

v  HIV/AIDS orphans

v  Physically and mentally challenged

v  Street children

v  Street families

v  Denied basic needs

v  Physically, socially, or mentally tortured

v  Sexual offences against children; defilement, early marriages, early pregnancies

It’s good to note that various stakeholders have taken time to support and address the needs of the children in Kenya and our district in particular; I salute you for the good work. 

Let me bring to your knowledge that the key issues affecting us in this district are:

v  Child abandonment

v  Child labor

v  Child neglect

v  Defilement

v  Early marriages

v  Early pregnancies

v  Child trafficking

This in turn has impacted negatively on our social, moral, physical and education development in the society.

It’s an appeal to the police to always diligently investigate our cases, apprehend and prosecute the perpetrators against children rights.  Our parent and guardians to provide for our basic needs, philanthropic stakeholders to assist at their ability, provincial administrators always are vigilant when handling our cases. 

It’s also good to note there are children living on the streets due to pull and push factors leaving them without their basic needs.  People see them as outcast, but they are our fellow citizens.

As we celebrate today, let us note that it’s our obligation as children, parents, guardians, media houses, provincial administration, civil society organization, police and other relevant stakeholders to combine efforts and address the needs of the street child and family.

Finally, allow me to say:

            “All together for urgent action in favor of street children”