Introduction
Each year in Africa GNRC celebrates the Day of the African Child. The day is commemorated for the children who lost their lives on June 17th 1976 while demanding their rights to receive education during the Apartheid era in South Africa.
With this date event in mind, earlier this year GNRC members met with government and other stakeholders to promote the idea of a joint commemoration. GNRC staff initiated meetings with the Ilala Regional Office and, after reaching agreement, further coordinated with the Social Development Officer for additional conceptual development and implementation.
Preparation
In preparation for this event four meetings occurred: four weeks prior to the launch of the event. Participants were representatives from Global Networking of Religions for Children (GNRC), Plan International, Right to Play, Mtandao Wa Habari Wa Vajana Tanzania (MTAHAWAVITA), and government officials from the Ilala region.
During these discussions it was determined to conduct to primary events:
1. A one-day children's symposium for DAC statement preparation (June 13, 2009)
2. Day of the African Child (June 16, 2009)
GNRC responsibilities included:
• the one-day children's symposium for DAC statement preparation (June 13, 2009)
• contribution of 25 T-shirts for children attending the symposium
• designation and delivery of 11-13 children to the one-day symposium and 300 children from the various peace clubs for the Day of the African Child event (June 16, 2009).
• Provide and exhibit an animated film, performance drama, acrobats, poetry readings, traditional dance and other activities from the Peace Clubs
• locate and provide a public address system for use at the DAC
• provide refreshments and fare for the children
Objectives
During the preparation phase the following objectives were identified:
• to come together and reflect on the events of June 16, 1976 and the subsequent yearly commemoration of the Day of the African Child
• to join with other children's rights activist and continue to strongly advocate for the rights of our children.
• to identify/ realize each stakeholders strength and potentiality
• Join with other stakeholders to develop ideas and preparations for commemoration of DAC
• share resources among stakeholders to provide a more thorough and efficient program than would be possible for any one individual organization
• provide opportunities for the children to explore, discuss, and develop their rights, responsibilities and opportunities
• use this venue to identify and promote talented children
Success and Achievements
The following achievements are demonstrative of the success of the symposium and DAC:
• Fifty-three children sponsored through the GNRC representing the three regional municipalities conferred at the Salvation Army during the symposium on June 13, 2009.
• During the DAC, GNRC launched six new Peace Clubs, distributed more than 500 copies of the Folk Stories book produced by GNRC to participating children and schools
• Twenty copies of the Learn-to-Live-Together toolkit were distributed to participating guests from the educational sector and the ministry
Reacting to the DAC yearly theme, "A Suitable Conducive Africa for the Child, Enhance and Sustain His Rights to Survival" ( in Swahili, "Africa imfaayo Mtoto Himiza ne endeleza hakie ya Kuishi"), the children focused on problems relating to inadequate health centers and services, malaria and the killings of albino. All of these factors impede the "Right to Survival" at different stages of development from conception through adulthood. The children decided to compose a petition (See Attached) to the government and society-at-large promising and urging for the sake of other children to following:
• The children will continue to sensitize one another and continue advocating for their "Right to Survival" and avoiding exposure to risky environments e.g., drug abuser, pushers, etc.
• To continue to meet and evaluate what is being to used to enhance and sustain child survival
• Advocate for the protection of children from danger, including the need for adequate and balanced meals, health centers, etc.
• Consideration of the needs of children in all social decision making
• Urging NGOs and CBOs to continue support for programs assisting expectant mothers
• Urging NGOs and CBOs to continue educational programs on family planning and child safety issues
• Urging the government to continue the distribution of free mosquito nets to expectant mothers and children
• Urging the development of additional and improved health services and the ward level
• Enhancement of the public health vaccination program
Other notable issues:
• Media coverage played a key role in the success of these events, especially through raising awareness of the movement throughout the society-at-large.
• GNRC provided documentation of these events through video and still photography
• Networking expansion was realized through working with other organizations and stakeholders
• The government interacted with GNRC and they developed a further understanding and comfort with our role within society
SUMMARY OF OUTCOME
In general, every stakeholder fulfilled its role from the preparation phase through the DAC on June 16, 2009. About 800 children and 100 adults representing the government, GNRC, Plan International, MTAHAWAVITA, invited partners and guests gathered for the commemoration at William Benjamin Mkapa grounds. Entertainment and learning opportunities were enjoyed by all participants.
Conclusion
The event was successful. A total of 900 children and adults gathered to commemorate the Day of the African Child. All stakeholders participated in expressing, sharing and developing their ideas on the importance of children to the future of Africa and the world. The replacement Guest of Honor Ms. Rita Kibati, Unkonga Special Seats Counselor, commended all who participated in making the DAC 2009 successful. She also urged the society-at-large and the stakeholders to join hands and enhance and sustain the "Suitable Africa for the Children to Survive" campaign, and for each participant to enjoy life. She condemned the killing of Albinos for superstitious and greedy reasons. On behalf of the government she promised to work on the children's petition and concluded her speech by saying, "Every child is everyone's child, so it is everyone's responsibility to make certain all children survive."
It is GNRC's hope that all Peace Club members, staff, partners and everyone will work towards and live up to this year's DAC theme and bring PEACE.
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