Celebrating the Day of the African Child
Sarah Awap and teammate during the celebrations to mark the African Child Day in Gumbo District, Central Equatoria
This year’s Day of the Africa Child was celebrated with pomp and glamour in Africa’s newest nation, South Sudan. The celebrations were held at the Radio Juba playground in the district of Gumbo, Central Equatoria. The district of Gumbo, now in its first year of marking the Day of the African Child, is a stellar example of how one community can be mobilized to highlight children’s rights.
The theme was ‘Elimination of Child Marriage in South Sudan: Our Collective Responsibility.’
More than 1,000 people gathered at the Radio Juba playground on Saturday 15 June to witness how World Vision South Sudan through its Child Protection Committees is working with communities to advance the rights of children nationwide. Children from all over Gumbo District participated too, with their teachers, childcare providers and their parents. It was a high-energy event which increased awareness of the rights of children through different activities, including football, drama, comedy, music and dance.
The celebrations started with a word of prayer followed by opening remarks by Peter Kwaje Joseph, WVSS Protection Officer, who underscored the importance and significance of the day. The theme and child related messages were well relayed by Stephen Jacob, the Disk Jockey, throughout the celebrations.
The football match was the first inaugural activity of the day as Sabrine FC and Jumubia FC, two female football teams, played a competitive game. Sabrine FC got away with a win. “As girls, we feel honored to have played football during this special occasion. Parents are reluctant to send us to school as lots of attention is always put on boys, but today, we are proud of ourselves. We have shown that we are able to do what boys can do – kick the ball,” said Sarah Awap. The second encounter was between two popular male teams - ‘Manchester United FC’ and ‘Arsenal FC’. Manchester United won the game.
The four teams received balls, trophies, and caps with logos of World Vision, the Irish Aid and the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare. Participants also received caps.
Drama, comedy, games, music and a colorful and vibrant dance concluded the celebrations with a strong message to parents to send their children, both boys and girls, to school as this could propel the new country’s progress.
“I am the happiest man today to see children and parents join World Vision to mark this event. We have been working to promote the well-being of children and to uplift their social rights in this district for more than two years. This event came timely as it will make our work easier. For the last two years, the number of boys and girls going to school has increased,” declared Philip Khamis Peter, Chairman of the WVSS Protection Committee in Gumbo District, who planned and coordinated the whole agenda of the festivity.
http://www.wvi.org/south-sudan/article/celebrating-day-african-child
The theme was ‘Elimination of Child Marriage in South Sudan: Our Collective Responsibility.’
More than 1,000 people gathered at the Radio Juba playground on Saturday 15 June to witness how World Vision South Sudan through its Child Protection Committees is working with communities to advance the rights of children nationwide. Children from all over Gumbo District participated too, with their teachers, childcare providers and their parents. It was a high-energy event which increased awareness of the rights of children through different activities, including football, drama, comedy, music and dance.
The celebrations started with a word of prayer followed by opening remarks by Peter Kwaje Joseph, WVSS Protection Officer, who underscored the importance and significance of the day. The theme and child related messages were well relayed by Stephen Jacob, the Disk Jockey, throughout the celebrations.
The football match was the first inaugural activity of the day as Sabrine FC and Jumubia FC, two female football teams, played a competitive game. Sabrine FC got away with a win. “As girls, we feel honored to have played football during this special occasion. Parents are reluctant to send us to school as lots of attention is always put on boys, but today, we are proud of ourselves. We have shown that we are able to do what boys can do – kick the ball,” said Sarah Awap. The second encounter was between two popular male teams - ‘Manchester United FC’ and ‘Arsenal FC’. Manchester United won the game.
The four teams received balls, trophies, and caps with logos of World Vision, the Irish Aid and the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare. Participants also received caps.
Drama, comedy, games, music and a colorful and vibrant dance concluded the celebrations with a strong message to parents to send their children, both boys and girls, to school as this could propel the new country’s progress.
“I am the happiest man today to see children and parents join World Vision to mark this event. We have been working to promote the well-being of children and to uplift their social rights in this district for more than two years. This event came timely as it will make our work easier. For the last two years, the number of boys and girls going to school has increased,” declared Philip Khamis Peter, Chairman of the WVSS Protection Committee in Gumbo District, who planned and coordinated the whole agenda of the festivity.
http://www.wvi.org/south-sudan/article/celebrating-day-african-child
Comments
Post a Comment