AN AFRICAN ORPHAN: OUR COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY
The day was a joyous for children within Migori District as all them gathered to mark “THE DAY OF AN AFRICAN CHILD” at St. Camillus Dala Kiye. The day started with the procession which was flagged by the Karungu District Officer at Sori Post Office.
The “DAY OF AN AFRICAN CHILD” is celebrated every year in Africa to remind all the people of Africa of children rights. This day was started after the massacre of children of Soweto in South Africa on June 16th, 1976 when they were demanding for their rights as children. The children suffered and several of them died just as they fought for their rights.
This year, the whole Migori District marked the Day of African Child at St. Camillus Dala Kiye.
The Karungu Division Office flagged off the procession at Sori Post office from 9:00 a.m. to St. Camillus Dala Kiye Orphaned Welfare Home. The children were joined by their teachers, Community Based Organizations and Faith Based Organisation supporting children orphaned due HIV/AIDS and other natural calamities within the region. It was a colourful day for all the children that adults all give them chance so that they can also be listened to by adults and their own parents. Many days in life children
are normally given very few time to express their needs as children and to be support as per their needs.
The children were joined by several government officials in various Department who came to grace the occasion .
The day started with pump and joy with the prayer from Fr. Mario of Camillian Community. People from all walks and cadres of life attended the occasion.
All District Departmental heads led by D.O. 1 of Migori trooped to Dala Kiye to grace the occasion. All the chiefs, and their assistants District Officers from various Divisions e.g. Nyatike, Muhuru and Karungu Divisions were all present.
A total of 2015 pupils from various primary schools in Nyatike constituency were in attendance together with their teachers, opinion leaders also joined the occasion.
Different schools presented various items highlighting some injustices and abuses meted to children in our homes, schools, streets and other institutions across the country. The items were heart rendering and showed how beastly human beings are towards their young ones. Men were put on the spotlight as they prey on the innocent young girls for their every increasing appetite for their sexual satisfaction.
The District Children’s Officer highlighted some of the injustices and abuses meted to children. These abuses included rape, child labour, early marriage, corporal punishment, psychological torture and insecurity.
She recognized the need for special attention to the disabled children. She stressed that disability is not inability and therefore the disabled should be treated respectfully and be given opportunity to nurture their talents.
The D.O. 1 read a strongly worded speech from the government stipulating the rights of children. He stressed that each and every child has a right to free primary education food, treatment, protection and love. He said that anybody including the biological parents who deny a child the fore mentioned rights is liable for punishment as stipulated in the laws of
Kenya.
Lastly the D.O. 1 instructed chiefs and their assistants to ensure that all children within their jurisdiction are protected and have access to the free primary education offered by Government of Kenya. The parents and community agreed to help the government to uphold the child’s rights.
The day was marked with matches from four different schools Kanga Onditi Secondary Vs B. L. Tezza Secondary School who drew, then we had Rabuor Karungu Primary Vs B. L. Tezza Complex Primary School who also drew.
The chiefs guest and other guest left at their own pleasure at 5:00 p.m
