Do not leave behind any child for the development of the world
Special Thanks
First of all, as members of the Nyatike Sub-County Advisory Board (AAC), we would like to thank Almighty God for giving us the life that has allowed us to organize and be present on this great occasion in our children’s lives.
Special thanks to all the partners who dedicated their resources to ensure the success of the event, in particular the We World Kenya Foundation, World Vision Kenya, Blue Cross Nyatike, Mercy Orphans Support Group Program, Lalmba, Ace Africa and St . Paul of the Cross.
Thanks to Dala Kiye for hosting this year’s event and for having prepared and set up the place where the day took place in an impeccable way: all the members of the team, together to a group of children from the center, they dedicated time and passion in organizing and coordinating the
various activities, working tirelessly to involve all the participants throughout the day.
Finally, a warm thanks to the children. mbini who were our special guests of the day, especially Carola Nekesa, president of the Nyatike Sub-County Assembly, for agreeing to honor us on this occasion. Supporters, parents, teachers and other community members in attendance, you are all great. With this kind of support and collaboration, it is truly evident how much our children actually are at the center of our attention. God bless you.
Fr. Emilio Balliana
Program Director
Introduction
World Orphans Day is usually commemorated every year on May 7 as a show of solidarity with orphans in society. The Nyatike Sub-County event took place at the St. Camillus Dala Kiye Center. The event was the culmination of a series of planning meetings by the Nyatike Sub-County Advisory Council which included national government ministers, county government representatives and members of civil society organizations.
The planning and general coordination of the event was led by the Migori County Children’s Office who is the secretary of the AAC. The event budget was supported by partners including St. Camillus Dala Kiye through their partnership with We World Kenya Foundation, World Vision Kenya (Nyatike ADP), Blue Cross Organization,
Lalmba, St. Paul of the Cross, Child Welfare Society of Kenya, Ace Africa and Mercy Orphans.
The theme of the event was: “Leave no child behind for the development of the world, a theme that requires strengthening the participation of children in all aspects of development in which we are involved as a company.
The Celebration
The annual event officially started at 10.30. A good number of participants including school-age children, assistants and other invited guests gathered at St. Camillus Dala Kiye, where Vera Christine, a student of B.L. Tezza and member of the Nyatike Sub-County Children’s Assembly led those present in an opening prayer. Subsequently, Mr. Julius Olang’o of the Blue Cross Organization and who on this particular day was one of the masters of the ceremony, asked all present to move to the parish of Kiranda from where the procession would start.
At the departure of the procession, a good number of participants were already gathered and eager to begin. Present and ready to march, the Commissioner of the Division of Karungu Thomas Mwanza started the procession around 11.00. The children paved the way with two large banners, all wearing paper visors that bore the theme of the celebration of the day. Along with the children were representatives of partners, government officials and the main guest of the day, Carola Nekesa, a student at St. Gemma Girls High School and President of the Nyatike Sub-County Children’s Assembly. The children sang songs that called for continuous effort to address the needs of the children.
After almost 20 minutes of walking, the participants met again in the official venue of the celebration, well organized and ready to welcome guests: all those present then sat down on the chairs after the short walk.
Mr Olang’o along with Mr Felix Yaite of World Vision Kenya (Nyatike ADP), who was the master of the ceremony, was joined on stage by two other students: Janet Janice of the girls of Kiranda and Gabriel Okola, the principal of the school, B.L Tezza Complex Secondary School. Janet is also a member of the Children’s Assembly Committee of the Sub-County of
Nyatike. The four were tasked with ensuring that the day’s schedule was adhered to.
The deacon Paul Kabito of the mission Saint Camillus of Karungu was invited on stage for a welcome prayer.
Father Emilio Balliana, Director of the St. Camillus Mission Hospital and Dala Kiye, officially welcomed all those present, underlining the importance of this day. He also stated that, as a family of St. Camillus, they will continue to provide support to orphaned children and also called for continued collaboration with all interested parties. Then Daniel
Oswago, a member of the staff of St. Camillus Dala Kiye, went up on stage and gave some indications to those present about the meeting points such as the dining room, wash houses, dining area and where
dispose of waste asking everyone to pay particular attention to the environment. Later, George Anyanga, Program Coordinator of St. Camillus Dala Kiye was invited to the stage. and informed those present of the current models of care put in place by the Dala Kiye program, which are mainly institutional care for HIV-infected children and the community-based model of care, in which they collaborated with the We World Kenya Foundation, the Cross Red of Kenya and the European Union. He said the program’s catchment areas are Homa Bay and Migori counties. He then invited the representatives of all the partners present to give a brief summary of what they do and their respective catchment areas.
John Odinya, director of Migori County for Services for Children along with Charles Ombogo, Sub-County Officer for Supervised Freedom and Jerry Chuchu of the Sub-County Bureau of Education. Mr. Felix of World Vision then spoke on behalf of all partners. Felix gave information about the recent activities of the Nyatike Sub-County Children’s Assembly and thanked all the partners who supported the two-day convention that took place at the Golgotha Evangelization Center. He stressed the importance of having an active forum where children can participate and make their voices heard both locally and nationally.
Felix ha informato i presenti che Carola Nekesa, Janet Janice di Kiranda Girls e Davis Babu della St. Francis Junior Academy sono stati nominati a rappresentare la contea insieme ad altri rappresentanti della Migori County Children, all’Assemblea dei Bambini del Kenya che si terrà ad agosto.
I membri dell’assemblea hanno lasciato quindi il palco alle sessioni di intrattenimento informativo e educativo, momento molto interattivo presieduto dai due maestri di cerimonia. I primi invitati sul palco sono stati bambini del Dale Kiye che hanno presentato una canzone che evidenziava la situazione di un bambino orfano. Nella loro canzone, hanno ricordato ai presenti che gli orfani, proprio come gli altri bambini, hanno diritto ad accedere ai servizi di base come l’istruzione, la salute, la protezione da pratiche dannose insieme ad una miriade di altri bisogni.
Successivamente sul palco una bambina della scuola di Kiranda ha raccontato una poesia sui diritti del bambino. Altri gruppi hanno poi avuto l’opportunità di intrattenere il raduno: i bambini della scuola elementare di Nyamanga, l’accademia Sunrise, San Paolo della Croce, Lalmba, Agolo Muok Primary e poi l’attrazione principale della giornata, una danza ramogi dei bambini della scuola elementare di Wachara: questa danza/canto ben coreografata racconta di un eroe, un uomo che nella sua infanzia è stato aiutato da alcuni benefattori dopo la morte dei suoi genitori e che ora stava tornando a casa dopo anni di assenza questa volta come un uomo adulto ben educato e indipendente a sottolineare le sfide che gli orfani devono talvolta affrontare quando sono affidati alle cure di cattivi benefattori.
The entertainment sessions were followed by other speeches: the police representative, the Sub County Probation Officer, the Sub County Children Officer, the Migori County Director Children Services, the Area Assistant Chief, the personal assistant of the Kachieng’ Ward MCA, the Karungu Division AAC and finally the main guest of the day Carola
Nekesa. The interventions focused mainly on the role of various government institutions in promoting the well-being of children. They also called on stakeholders not to abandon their efforts to provide assistance and protection to all children.
The entertainment sessions were followed by other speeches: the police representative, the Sub County Probation Officer, the Sub County Children Officer, the Migori County Director Children Services, the Area Assistant Chief, the personal assistant of the Kachieng’ Ward MCA, the Karungu Division AAC and finally the main guest of the day Carola
Nekesa. The interventions focused mainly on the role of various government institutions in promoting the well-being of children. They also called on stakeholders not to abandon their efforts to provide assistance and protection to all children.
After lunch, the first session of the event ended with the award ceremony of the children who performed during the entertainment: John Odinya, director of childcare services, assisted Faith Otieno and Washington Osoo, both members of the staff of MOSGUP, awarded the
boys with notebooks and pens. The first session of the event ended with a closing prayer by Deacon Kabito.
The event moved to the next stage on the playing fields, here the different schools invited presented their football teams to play friendly matches.
The first meeting between the secondary school of Kibuon and the children of the Rabuor Karungu secondary school. At the end of the match played with the nails, Kibuon won against Rabuor by two goals to zero. The second match of the day was the football match between B.L Tezza Complex and Kibuon Secondary School. Both teams showed a lively performance, which ended in a goalless draw. The final match of the day was a men’s soccer match between the host school B.L Tezza Complex and Kibuon Secondary. The match lived up to expectations as both teams showed their prowess in the game. At the final whistle around 5.30pm, both teams had to settle for a draw. We can say that this time too, the day was a very successful event, the result of fruitful cooperation by the Nyatike Sub-County Advisory Council. The goal of raising awareness in society regarding assistance and protection for our children and especially for orphans has been achieved.
Report compiled by:
Mr. George Anyanga – Program Coordinator
