Iday5 in Kampala

REPORT

ON THE

INTERNATIONAL

DAY OF THE AFRICAN CHILD

CELEBRATIONS    

16^TH JUNE 2006

Organised by:  SLUM NGO NETWORK

Secretariat

June 2006

PREAMBLE

It is our privilege to introduce THE DAY OF THE AFRICAN CHILD which falls on 16^th June of every year in commemoration of the tragic incident that happened on 16^th June 1976 in Soweto, South Africa where school children peacefully demonstrated for their civil rights against the Apartheid regime. This included the right to education; unfortunately the prevailing government fired at these innocent children causing untold deaths as their interpretation of the circumstances tantamounted to contravention of the law.

In the same vein, we exceptionally recognize two Guinean boys, Yagune and Fode who were found dead in the landing gear of Sabena Airlines from Africa. With them was a desperate and disturbing message reminding us that the education conditions in Sub-Saharah Africa remained un acceptable due to its poor quality. The message read “we want to study and we ask you to help us study so that we in Africa can be like you.”

While progress towards Universal Primary Education has been impressive according to the Government of Uganda education progress reports, still significant challenges are recognizable which include “ghost” pupils, lack of adequate staffing in schools, teacher absenteesm, inadequate basic school facilities and lack of food which need immediate redress for UPE to become meaningful to the poor.

Slum NGO Network (SNN) is a consortium of CSOs working in slum areas surrounding Kampala city whose environment are characterized by appalling health hazards, lack of safe water and inadequate sanitation facilities. CSOs focus at alleviating social economic problems that subject children living in slums to suffer from different forms of deprivation such as lack of good education, exposure to disease and inadequate food.

SNN celebrating this symbolic day in joint activities stresses the need to refocus our interventions to claim a common pool of ideas and activities that will expeditiously lead the country to achieving the UN Millennium Development Goals with a special bias to achieve education for all by 2015.

INTRODUCTION:

How SNN started.

From 23^rd to 29^th January 2006, one member of SNN called Uganda Children’s Centre (UCC) through their Europen partners ‘Maison des enfants du monde’ hosted Mr. Jean-Jacques SCHUL, co-founder of the Fund Message YAGUINE & FODE of the King Baudouin Foundation and Coordinator of the International Day of the African Youth (IDAY) in Europe during his tour to  African Countries.

During his stay in Uganda, he visited UCC country projects most of which are located in slums as areas of operation. He discussed with Head teachers of both Primary and Secondary Schools where UCC sponsors children.

He met Mr. Sigurd Illing, Head of the European Delegation in Uganda, he also discussed with Ms. Marriane Pecharbier of Alliance Francaise and an official from the Belgian Embassy.

Most importantly he met the Minister of State for Education in charge of Primary who by then was Mr. Nyombi Tembo, and some other officials in the same ministry.

The discussions rotated around the 2^nd Millennium Development Goal which seeks to attain Universal Primary Education by the year 2015. Importantly were the highlights that reflected the successes and failure and the counter solutions the government of Uganda aimed at employing to cause effective and efficient progress towards the attainment of the MDGs.

Fortunately, the various visits and discussions were conducted in the presence of UCC officials who with critical assessments and analysis resolved that for the African Child to yield quality education especially the orphans and other vulnerables in slums, there was need to join forces as CSOs working in these areas to form a common strategy. The idea was sold to other organizations who found it practical and focused which later gave birth to “SLUM NGO NETWORK” with currently seven pioneer members. It is therefore this year 2006 when the Network started its first major activity and of course with the celebration of the Day of the African Child that falls on 16^th June of every year.

 SNN SECRETARIAT

Currently it is temporarily headquared at Uganda Children’s officest, Plot 14 Lukuli-Nanganda, Mubarak Zone, Makindye Division, Kampala District.

Since SNN doesn’t have structures in place, all secretarial work and other correspondences are incurred by UCC because apparently it coordinates the network and it is therefore its obligation to keep the fire burning until members and other well-wishers chip in to support the initiative.

However UCC operates on a very small budget that is virtually strained whenever it extends its helping hand to SNN activities especially in monetary terms for instance, during the celebrations to mark the Day of the African Child that took place on 16^th June 2006, the Network was privileged to receive support from FMYF totaling to 200 euros as contribution to organizing and celebrating the day, but this was not at all enough compared to the various activities that comprised the day. We however thank  FMYF for such a generous support and all other people including members for their support whether finance, in kind or material that enabled the Network to successfully accomplish the festivities.

PRESENT STATE OF THE NETWORK

SNN secretariat wish to extend its appreciation to Mr. Jean Jacques SCHUL, for his invaluable support so far extended to both the creation and implementation of the Network. We particularly obliged to the donation  of informative and educative materials, for instamce, the Four French Version books namely, “Fatou Diome – Le Ventre de L’Atlantique” and “ATTERISSAGE KANGNI ALEM-post face d’Emmanuel DONGALA that were given to Uganda Children Centre, coordinators of SNN, and Alliance Francaise as tools to throw more light on two Guinean boys FODE and YAGUINE and the perspective of the whole episode.

Presently, all members are illiterate interms of French, however efforts are being taken for the coordinator to take lessons in the language as one of the pillar steps to revamp the Network. It is quite expensive in Uganda to hire translators and interpreters and it is definitely a cost for such a young Network like SNN

Fortunately, our contact person at Alliance Fracaise, Ms Marriam Pecharbrier has gone back to France otherwise, we had planned to draw avenues of how it can be possible to translate all educative materials in French to English as a mutual collaboration between the two institutions. However, efforts are being made to ensure that the other officials also appreciate the message of Yaguine and Fode and the tracking to achieve the 2^nd Millennium Development Goal of Universal Primary Education.

Marriane received the two copies of the French Version books on behalf of  Alliance Francaise , she was very grateful and promised to come up with drama groups that would perform in theatres and other public places in the effort to create awareness among the population both in Uganda and other African states.

MAIN DAY CELEBRATIONS

Pioneer member organisations subscribing to SNN, community members and school children from Primary Schools within the slums converged at the main venue at UCC offices to start a 4km walk upto the main venue at Katwe primary school.The procession was led by a brass band played by Young children from a nearby Primary School who followed a Policeman from a nearby station.

The match was basically through the slums where organisations operate their work , and of course where most children reside.  When the procession arrived at the venue, multitudes of happy looking faces of children were waiting anxiously to join the celebrations to mark the Day.  The celebrations were blessed by a video coverage by one biggest Private T.V Station known as WBS with the biggest viewer ship in the country.

COMMENCEMENT OF THE CEREMONY;

Brother Gregory from the Missionaries of the poor blessed ceremonies with a word of prayer.

The event was characterized by several entertainments presented by children of both abled and disabled amidst cheers and ululation from other children and invited guests. These included both creative and traditional songs and dances all tailored to highlight the theme of the Day that read “ Right to Protection: stop violence against children.

Other presentations included Acrobatic feats that were acted by street children under the rehabilitation of Uganda Children’s Centre. As entertainments interjected the programme at certain intervals, formal speeches characterized the day in the most comforting way and hence prompting more understanding of the value and significance of the Day to both children and parents.

The first speech was presented by the Headmaster, Katwe Primary School Mr. Bwana Yeko, the host for the celebrations. He welcomed the children, invited guests and the Chief Guest to that historical school. He briefly narrated the history of the school, the intermittent school performance over a period, the present state of the school in relation to the practability of UPE and the other important issues that needed government attention and the school’s future plans. He particularly thanked the Honourable Minister of state for Education in charge of Primary Mr. Peter Lokeris for accepting to officiate such an important occasion despite the National main celebrations that were taking place at Mukono. He strongly supported the Network and he promised to convince other surrounding Primary Schools to join the struggle.

The coordinator of SNN Mr. Kakembo Fred started his speech by welcoming all the childrem and all invited guests and in particular the Minister for his acceptance to come, he further congratulated him for having been entrusted by the  appointing authority, His Excellency the President of Uganda to take responsibility as Minister of state for education in charge of Primary.

It was all smiles when Mr. Kakembo attributed the increase in teachers’ salary as was read in the 2006/7 budget the previous day from 150,000/= to 200,000/= to the Minister’s blessing to his New Post.

At that juncture, he briefly gave the background of the Day through highlighting the dreadful incident where armless children were mercilessly massacred by the Apartheid regime in  1976. He further recognized the two Guinean boys who perished in the landing gear as they tried to show the whole world how inacceptable and insignificant the education system in Africa was. He compounded such scenarios with others in several African states including Uganda where the African Child has not benefited whatsoever in the education systems which thrive under circumstances of corruption, civil strike, civil wars, violence of human rights, below average budget allocations, HIV/AIDS and other menaces that deprive the African Child the right to quality education.

He however commended the government for the introduction of UPE but appealed to responsible authorities to squarely face the significant challenges arising out of “ghost” pupils, lack of adequate staffing in schools, teacher absenteeism, inadequate basic school facilities and lack of food. He particularly appealed to the Ministry to grant slum areas a special status to considerably look into their problems that hinder their responsiveness to utilizing the UPE opportunity.

He highlighted the role played by European counterparts under the leadship of Mr. Jean-Jacques SCHUL for their concerted effort directed towards the education of the African Child and more so the creation of SNN. He commended the Government for the strategies put in place as tracking avenues to support Slum NGO Network to achieve its goals and objectives that are all directing towards education for all by 2015. he thanked organisations that have shown interest to draw common strategies that will ensure the education of the African Child especially those ones residing in slums.

A children representative, one schoolboy under UCC sponsorship, on behalf of all children gave a speech thanking the organizers for that special occasion and all the participants who endeavored to come especially his fellow children, and most importantly the Minister for having accepted the invitation.

He briefly dwelt on the origin of the day, by highlighting incidents of Soweto in South Africa and the death of the two Guinean boys, Yaguine and Fode. He narrated some of the prominent scenarios where an African Child has been subjected to different kinds of abuses. Ha gave an example of street children, child labourers, domestic servants, child soldiers, child prostitutes and AIDS orphans who strictly need every one’s attention to reverse the trend. He appealed to the government to review the local authorities policy that gave away the only children’s park in Kampala City to become a market place. It was one indicator that such authorities undermine efforts to recognize children rights and privileges in the city.

A representative from the Local Authorities on behalf of the Chairman, Local Council III, Makindye Division thanked the organizers, the children, the invited guest and with due respect the Honourable a Minster for accepting to officiate the ceremony in his division.

He recognized the theme of the Day by pointing out a few atrocities subjected to children, which play a bigger part in depriving children of quality education. He promised to work with relevant authorities especially the Ministry of Education and Civil Society organisations to ensure that children in slums have equal opportunities like other children. He recommended SNN for such a thoughtful strategy.

The Chief Guest, the Honourable Minister of state for education in charge of primary, Mr. Peter Lokeris (MP) started his speech by stating that he gave this occasion a special status because he had been invited to the National celebrations at Mukono but turned it down as he preferred to be at this very function.

He started by narrating the origin of and how this special African Day was created and the circumstances that followed. He highlighted a few abuses on African Child encounter as a result of merciless adults and societies that have not totally been liberated. He considered the case of war affected children in Northern Uganda and other children elsewhere whose future are at stake especially in terms of getting opportunities for education. He however re- iterated the government’s commitment to crack down  all persons found responsible for  abuses subjected to children.

Reminded participants of Article 26, of the Universal declaration of human rights which states that “Everyone has the right to education ……………….” Which are later confirmed in articles 28 and 29 of the United Nations convention of the Rights of Children on 10^th November 1989. he said that the Government of Uganda ratified those conventions and it is therefore in their pursuance. He further recognized the theme “Right to Protection: Stop violence against children.” It portrays to all right thinking people to observe rights that protect children from violence. ill treatment and any behaviour that might show a lack of care or interest in the child. Children have a right to be protected from many forms of discrimination, that is given different treatment because of his/her sex religion, cultural or social background.

He observed that in pursuance of the Millenium Development Goals (MDG) the government of Uganda as a signatory, in 1997 effected Goal 2 by introducing Universal Primary Education (UPE) which has significantly contributed to the improvements at the Primary education level and was a boon to the girl child education efforts in the Country as enrolment of girls increased of girls increased more relative to that of boys thereby eliminating the gender gap in Primary Education. Thus, the introduction of UPE not only more than doubled absolute enrolment numbers, but also increased Net primary enrollment rates from 62% (1992) 86% (2004). Other things remaining constant, it is project that the sector can realistically achieve a Net enrollment of 95% by 2015.

He however admitted that while impressive gains continue to be registered in the expansion of access to education at all levels, ensuring quality and equality throughout the country still remains a challenge

Perhaps the most obvious indicator of this concern illustrated by the persistence of Urban and rural disparities. He reaffirmed that those issues have been put in perspective while designing educational interventions.

On behalf of the government, he was impressed by steps taken by civil society oragnisations (CSOs) in complimenting Government efforts in delivering services to difficult to reach areas commonly known as slums whose inhabitants are virtually low income earners faced with problems of poor infrastructures, health hazards un safe drinking water and inadequate sanitation facilities.

He particularly commended SLUM NGO NETWORK for the Vision demonstrated that happen to restore sanity to multitudes of orphans and other vulnerable children living in slums to have opportunity of accessing education and most importantly quality education.

As a government, he promised to work in hand with the Association to ensure that African children have equal rights in accessing quality education.

After the Minister’s speech, there was an interval of entertainment by children and later the prayer and the National Anthem and participants dispersed.

PIONEER MEMBER ORGANISATIONS

GRC                    :                  Grace Rehabilitation Centre

M.O.P                  :                  Missionaries of the poor

KPS                     :                  Katwe Primary School

KAYDA               :                  Katwe Youth Development Association

VODAP               :                  Voice of the Disadvantaged Persons

UCC                    :                  Uganda Children’s Centre

YRA                    :                  Youth Revival Association

Contact Address

SNN Secretariat

P. O. Box 24127, Kampala

Tel: 041-268 979/0782-372683/0782-499978

Plot 14 Lukuli-Nanganda Road (Makindye Division)

E-mail: uccentre@infocom.co.ug/kakembofred@yahoo.com