THE RIGHTS OF DISABLED CHILDREN: THE DUTY TO PROTECT, RESPECT, PROMOTE AND FULFIL
Special Thanks
I take this opportunity to thank organizations, groups and all people for their disinterested financial and technical support and for the commitment shown in celebrating this year’s African Child Day. My appreciation goes to the community present at the party which showed solidarity with the children and desire to support them in the difficulties they encounter. Special thanks to all the staff St. Camillus Dala Kiye who spent some of his time organizing some activities so as to make this special occasion a real success. Sincere appreciation and thanks also go to organizations including NGOs, CBOs, Line Ministries, Provincial Administration, Office for Children’s Services and Education, for their support and encouragement in the celebrations. I am grateful to our partners who have supported us financially and materially in contributing to the carrying out of the day’s activities: I feel that we are on the right track to manage children’s problems; for this I thank everyone and I ask Almighty God to bless you abundantly, may you continue to have the privilege of supporting children.
P. Emilio Balliana Program Director
Background
The Day of the African Child (DAC) is celebrated every year on June 16 by the member states of the African Union (AU) and its Partners. This occasion is primarily a commemoration to commemorate the 1976 Soweto riots when a protest by school children in South Africa against apartheid and lack of training prompted the intervention of police officers resulting in the death of these young unarmed demonstrators. The Day of the African Child is also a great opportunity to focus attention on the work of all the people committed to defending the rights of the continent’s children; the intention is to consolidate efforts in addressing obstacles to the realization of these rights. The day also offers an opportunity for governments, international institutions and communities to renew their commitments to improve the situation of marginalized and particularly vulnerable children by organizing activities to support these children.
The theme for the commemoration of the 22nd African Children’s Day was “The rights of children with disabilities: the duty to protect, respect, promote and fulfill”. The day opened with a forum to defend the rights of children and in particular those with disabilities. It was an opportunity to reflect on some of the major causes of child disability in Africa, such as preventable diseases such as polio, meningitis, cerebral malaria, occasional and inadequate health services during the prenatal and neonatal stages. The invitation to participate in this event has been extended to many people working with and for children in the areas of Karungu and Gwassi.
Children from different primary schools have also enriched the party by interacting freely and sharing their experiences in a free environment and away from the usual academic atmosphere of the school.
The event, which started at 9 am and ended at 5.30 pm, took place in the St. Camillus Dala Kiye Children Home and saw the children engaged in songs, dances, poems and games.
Opening Ceremony
The opening ceremony began with the prayer and some reflections of Father Elphas Kolia, Director of Finance and Administration of the Dala Kiye Program. Hundreds of participants were already seated from 9 in the morning waiting for the start of this event. Mr. George Anyanga, Coordinator of the Dala Kiye Program, presented the program of the day, stressing the value of the event and recalling that children would be the protagonists of this day dedicated to them, thus helping to strengthen the participation of children.
Master of ceremony of the day was Sharlet Achieng, a student of the BL Tezza Primary School, assisted by her colleague Peter Mbiri of the Secondary School of BL Tezza. The guest of the day was a student of the Secondary School BL Tezza. During the opening ceremony, the music helped liven up the event. Most children wore paper caps that featured this year’s Day theme. There were also teachers, health workers and many other guests.
Children’s show
After the opening ceremony, the festival gave ample space to children who performed in songs, traditional dances and poems. The children have shown their skills by winning acclaim and applause. The children of Dala Kiye entertained the spectators with a traditional themed dance calling all interested parties to take an active role in the protection of the rights of all children regardless of their physical, mental and social conditions.
During the performance, the staff Dala Kiye distributed sweets and biscuits to all present. Kopala’s support group also presented a game focused on protecting minors.
Speech
The two representatives of the Provincial Administration and the guest of the day Joan Beryl, student of the BL Tezza Secondary School, had the opportunity to speak with their speeches recalling important topics such as:
- provide adequate care for children with disabilities
- provide a suitable environment for all children regardless of their condition
- promote better education for all school-age children
- improve communication between those working with and for children
Meals and Refreshments
This was a very important part of the party: meals were offered to all invited guests and children of the Dala Kiye in the dining room from 12:30 to 01:30. All the other participants were offered half a loaf of bread and a bottle of soda. In total, about 1,300 participants had lunch together and had enough energy to continue to participate actively in the other events of the day.
Soccer Matches
At 14:30 the first football match saw the protagonists of the teams of the boys of the Primary Schools: BL Tezza against Rabuor. After about an hour the guys of BL Tezza won beating rivals with a goal to zero. In the second match the teams of the Secondary Schools: BL Tezza against Gunga: here the boys of Tezza have beaten the opponents with two goals to zero. Both games were highly competitive and the winners took home a trophy and a football.
Closing Ceremony
The closing ceremony began at 17:00 and ended at 17:30 was presided over by Coordinator Dala Kiye who rewarded the winning teams with trophy and balls and thanked all participants for active participation in the event. He then invited a pupil to conclude the day with the closing prayer. In conclusion, the Dala Kiye center has hosted as always and with great success the 22nd Day of the African Child.
Report compiled by Mr. Daniel Owino Oswago
