Don’t leave any child behind for Africa’s development
Special Thanks
We appreciate the good work done by the teachers in organizing this significant day with their students. The Day of the African Child is the feast of all African children, so the pupils have represented very important figures on this day.
Thanks to all the members of the community who had the opportunity to join us in celebrating this anniversary. An important recognition goes to all the staff of Dala Kiye for the organization and the work done throughout the party to ensure its success.
Thanks to the children, our special guests, who attended the event demonstrating that the day was basically for all children and their well-being. Pillar of this day was the World Kenya Foundation to which goes our heartfelt thanks for their financial support: everything went smoothly.
P. Emilio Balliana
Program Director
Background
International Day of the African Child is celebrated on June 16 each year, since it was first celebrated in Soweto, South Africa, in honor of black pupils. These children protested for quality education and took to the streets of Soweto demanding that their rights be taught in their native language.
International NGOs, governments and locals always meet on June 16th to remind themselves of the key role they must play in the education of an African child. This day also creates awareness of educational issues: honoring young people and drawing attention to their needs.
St. Camillus Dala Kiye is an institution that works with and for orphaned and vulnerable children. It is concerned with ensuring that all children’s rights are respected and, among them, the right to education.
This year’s theme was “Leave no child behind for the development of Africa”, topic that has created greater awareness of children’s right to be heard: children have a voice and their voices should be heard.
All schools invited, represented by teachers and pupils, community members, partners and Dala Kiye staff gathered at the Dala Kiye Center to celebrate this day.
Celebration
Preparations began early in the morning with the assignment of some organizational tasks to the Dala Kiye boys. The curtains and chairs have been prepared to welcome guests, the sound system ready with music and microphones to invite people to sit down. Participant registration began at 8 am and continued until all guests arrived. The celebration was opened by a moment of prayer by Father John Kariuki followed by a short comment in which he recalled the role of each individual in ensuring that children participate in the development of the continent.
Father John stressed how lucky Africa is because most of the children are talented. That said, he has also issued a challenge to all children: to be responsible people like the elderly are, and to be pupils who obey school rules. He also expressed
his opposition to early pregnancies and abortions.
The Coordinator of Dala Kiye then welcomed the participants and basically talked about the various rights of children. He asked all institutions that work with children to commit themselves to respecting their rights and encouraged children to commit themselves to
their rights, denouncing when they are violated.
The children of Dala Kiye entertainments have opened. Several schools performed songs, theatrical moments and dances on the theme of the day: the recognition of children’s rights. The most educational and moving moment was a choral poem that later resulted in singing presented
by the boys of St. Mary’s Boys Primary School. Young people have steadfastly brought out the struggle between parents and teachers to find what is best for children, not taking into account the interests of the children themselves. In most cases, parents recommend school courses to their children that are right for them while teachers advise kids about the topics they think are important, but everyone forgets instead of asking what these young people really want.
Disability is not disability. The B.L.Tezza Special School for the Deaf also participated in the performances, a group of children entertained guests with a beautiful modern dance.
The moments of fun were alternated with more serious speeches. The speech of the head of the school in Sidika introduced a moment of silence in honor of the children of Soweto massacred during the protest against the poor quality of education, recalling the enormous sacrifice made by those boys to guarantee all African children a quality education.
Two members of the Kenya Children’s Assembly were important guests on this day. In their speeches it is recognized how beautiful African children are and how important their education and growth is. Break for everyone at 13.00 with snacks for boys and lunch for guests.
After lunch, everyone gathered on the football field to watch a match between the Rabuor Primary and B.L.Tezza schools. The match between the youth was very close until the referees called the teams to penalties: victory for the boys of Rabuor.
Father Claudio then awarded all the children who presented songs, dances and poems. The winning football team brought home a brand-new football.
La giornata si e’ conclusa con la preghiera di Padre John Kariuki, tutti gli ospiti sono poi tornati a casa.
Report compilato da:
Angwanga Sharon – Social Worker
