WELCOME MESSAGE
“DID YOU KNOW?"
Festus Chuma
Executive Director - Every African Child Uganda
Children account for about half the population of Uganda. The other half, made of adults, makes very important decisions on behalf of the children that have been entrusted to our care.
Human nature has it that you serve yourself best and first so that you can serve others well. This implies that in their decision-making, the adult population would first have to serve their interests and then consider the interests of others. Thus, children have often been the last to be considered.
In my attempt to serve the children better, I have attended several workshops, seminars and planning meetings looking at the welfare of children. However, in all of my experience, I have never seen a child invited to make a contribution on how they think they can be best served
Childrens’ input is taken to be obvious, unnecessary and childish. But is this true? How many decisions that are completely devoid of children's involvement and input have been seen through to successful conclusions?
Instead of empowering children to make their own independent decisions or contributing towards the decision making process, adults tend to impose programmes on the children. Yet, the children are expected to fully support and enjoy these programmes, even though they had no say in their development.
This may explain why there is little impact despite having so many players implementing so many programmes for the same target groups. Children must have a sense of ownership of any programme designed to benefit them. This would ensure sustainability.
Yes, it is true that “all animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.” Thank God for parents who were entrusted with a responsibility to bring children up till they are fully mature and responsible.
There comes a time, however, when a child has to choose what s/he wants done. Children, like other human beings, have a right to give their opinion, especially on matters that affect them. (Article 12 of the UNCRC).
Unfortunately, society believes that everything about children is “childish,” and so adults must always decide on their behalf. This is not right.
It is wrong to force a horse to drink water. While children's minds may still be developing, they are capable of making sound judgments. They know what is good for them and the best that our society can do is to encourage our children to think aright and make sound decisions.
It is time to incorporate children in decision making processes on matters that affect them, of course, under guidance from adults.
I do not mean to suggest that we should leave children's matters to children. I mean rather that we should involve them or to have them in mind in all we plan and do. Otherwise Darwin's Natural selection's concept of 'survival of the fittest' would apply so that while adults thrive children will always strive.
Apart from the basic needs, children, unlike adults, have special needs. These needs may not be readily taken as important by adults but they are crucial in the development of the child.
Those that are quick at confining children to orphanages and reformatories seem to ignore the importance of family and community in the early developmental stages of the child.
May I propose and appeal to all planners and programmers at all levels; International, national, organizational and household level, that let us have the welfare of children in mind in all we do. Let us make every effort to have their input, get their consent and approval. Children are human beings. They have special needs, feelings and they reason. As you are gender sensitive, remember to be child sensitive as well.
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EVERY AFRICAN CHILD is a registered not-for-profit CBO focused on alleviating the suffering and improving the wellbeing of the socially and economically disadvantaged children in rural and peri-urban UGANDA communities. The organization is recognized by the WASART AFRICA YOUTH MOVEMENT as a partner in the fight against HIV/AIDS. E A C also conducts and facilitaties activities aimed at mitigating the spread and impact of HIV/AIDS anrollback malaria programmes.