98 (FEBRUARY 2011) Monthly Internet edition of the African Movement of Working Children and Youth (AMWCY) Published by Enda with the help of Plan *************************************************************************** Write to us at capexcom@enda.sn or at jeuda@enda.sn and visit our site www.maejt.org *************************************************************************** * Burkina Faso: activities to promote child protection and development * Ivory Coast: raising awareness about child protection in a village * Gambia: Katchaa Show * Madagascar: child rights celebration/facilitators' training * Mali: a sketch about AIDS in Mopti/a march in Tombouctou to denounce violence on children * Togo: providing apprenticeships for WCY, a way to prevent child mobility * Rwanda: Caritas supports WCY - Publication: Jeuda 122: "AMWCY training guide" **************************************************************************************************************** * Burkina Faso: activities to promote child protection and development In January 2012, 5 WCYAs in Burkina which are Ouagdougou, Banfora, Dedougou, Mangodara and Tougan carried out activities in favour of domestic girls, children gold mine and agriculture workers. More than 160 children from ages 10 to 17 were reached. The purpose of those activities was to further the development of these children. Main objectives:training in the association's life and the worst forms of child labour; raising awareness campaigns amongst parents and employers about child protection; distribution of more than 200 copies in the different associations, NGOs, public services of the list of dangerous jobs; strengthening of the groups by offering them toys (balls, lidos), tea glasses, chairs, documents regarding dangerous work prohibited for children and the renovation of the hangar where the children often gather to chat and debate. At last, the identification and accompanying of deprived mothers in the choice of growth niches for their children to give them financial support so they can start an IGA and satisfy their own needs and those of their children. This project is financed by Save the Children. simboroseydou@yahoo.fr, claudeouaga@yahoo.fr * Ivory Coast: raising awareness about child protection in a village On 19th October 2011, the WCY of Bouaké organized a mass awareness campaign about child mobility in Minankro, a village north of Bouaké. On the agenda: the WCY addressed the public about the child mobility issue and also the local partners and village chiefs held speeches. A ballet performance, a piece of theater about child trafficking presented by the theater group of the AWCY Bouaké and a dance competition enlivened the spirits of the participants. Through this awareness campaign, the WCYs informed and gathered the public opinion (children, youth and adults) about the child mobility issue. Present at this activity were leaders and notables of Minankro and N'Guessankro, a delegation of WCYs, local partners like the NGO ACEF, Jekawili, the Soro Kigbafori Foundation and Radio Media Plus, who assured the media coverage. aejt.bouak@yahoo.com, johnspriker@yahoo.fr * Gambia: Katchaa Show On the 24th December 2011, the AWCY national coordination celebrated the Katchaa Show in Farfenni, an event they organize yearly to discuss childhood issues. This show was organized under the topic: "fighting for the promotion of child rights". A dance competition, songs, a theater performance by the WCY, animated the event which started with a caravan gathering 200 WCY that came from different associations.  The WCY also animated a conference with the above mentioned theme in the presence of authorities, partners and parents. The authorities expressed their satisfaction that they could see Gambia's children and youth unite and raising important questions relating to their society. They promised the WCY that they were always welcome to their offices in case they needed any advice or support. The WCY together with the Farafenni promised to organize a daily radio program about topics like child labour and child abuse. They are also going to organize theater performances to raise awareness about child protection in communities, markets and public places. pamadousenghore2006@yahoo.com * Madagascar: child rights celebration/facilitators' training On 16th of November 2011, two WCY aged 10 and 15 participated in a press conference about child rights at the French embassy with the Civil Society Childhood platform. They also participated in a TV commercial to speak about the program and child rights. The national forum about child rights with its topic "Working children" was visited by journalists, youth, operators, NGOs, associations and parents. The debate mainly focused on domestic work and exodus, followed by a party and an exhibition.  Sylvia, a WCY of Ankazomanga received a 71 day training by the facilitators  at CFAE, ENDA OI and came first in the promotion on the 9th December 09. She will continue to look after the WCY of her grassroot group and her goal is a literacy project. She has already started with 38 students. rakotonirinastanie@yahoo.fr * Mali: a sketch about AIDS in Mopti/a march in Tombouctou to denounce violence on children - Mopti: From 2nd to 8th December 2011, in partnership with the Regional Executive Secretariat of the High National Council to Combat AIDS in Mopti and the AWCY of the same city, carried out an awareness raising campaign in 4 cities and in Mopti and Sévaré through their theater group. This information tour via theater forum took place during the official month to combat Aids. The topics that were discussed had to do with the stigmatization of Aids and the caring for orphans and other vulnerable children. The main purpose of this theater forum was the participation of the public through interventions, questions and contributions.The realization of the action was made possible thanks to the financial support of UNICEF. - Tombouctou:On 23rd January, the AWCY organised a peaceful march against the violence on children in the North of Mali, mainly in the cities of Tombouctou, Gao and Kidal. This march started in the head office of the AWCY, followed along the highway leading to Kidal and finished at the prefecture. The WCY chose this itinerary to reach a lot more people including authorities and civil organizations, since many infrastructures are located on this road (city hall, police station, prefecture of Tombouctou, NGOs and associations working in favour of children). This march was organised after assaults had been carried out by armed thieves against the population of Menaka on the 16th of January - a situation that sparked panic amongst the population of this region and stopped them from carrying out their activities since they were afraid of going out. The march of the WCY was supported by the population that came in masses. dembeleabou@gmail.com, isaaktraore@yahoo.fr * Rwanda: Caritas supports WCY On 29th December 2011, the Caritas Diocese Cyangugu donated 7 sewing machines to two grassroot groups whose members were trained in tailoring and sewing. This donation rekindled hope in the children regarding their future, since prior to that they didn't have personal sewing machines that they could have used after their apprenticeship. This will also help in the realization of some of the 12 rights like the right to learn a trade, the right to get organized, the right to stay in the village, etc. The same day, 23 children that had been trained in tailoring/sewing from February to November 2011 received their end of training certificate from Caritas. The AWCY Bugarama would like to thank Caritas for their daily moral and material support and their support during the different activities that pursues the goal to promote the children's rights.  uwidibeo@yahoo.fr, aejtco@yahoo.fr * Togo: providing apprenticeships for WCY, a way to prevent child mobility On 4th January, two WCY met and listened to a WCY of the northern part of the country, who after having finished his apprenticeship as a mechanic opened his own car work shop which serves him as an IGA. This young mechanic by the name Salifou was integrated in the AWCY Dapaong after he was listened to. Today he has several apprentices in this workshop including 4 WCY aged between 14 and 16 that he engaged free of charge. The 4 WCY did not have any means and wanted to leave on adventure. By putting them as apprentices in his workshop, Salifou maintained the children in their family environment. His action amazed the children’s parents and the whole neighborhood. jephter02@gmail.com, benrubien07b73@gmail.com - Publication: recently published: Jeuda 122: "AMWCY training guide" We recently published Jeuda 122 "A guide to training within the AMWCY".  As its name suggests, this book directs the reader in the themes developed during the various training workshops of the WCY: the way the facilitation takes place, the pedagogic methods used to facilitate comprehension since most trainees have not been to school, the method adopted to bring about positive change in their situation, etc. The whole process to equip the WCY and who contributed to their validation is described in this brochure. In a nutshell, this guide is a pedagogic tool that can be used by monitors and facilitators of the WCY.  To get familiar with this guide, please click on the link below: http://www.maejt.org/pdfs/jeuda%20122%20formation%20version%20finale.pdf or contact usanglais/pdfs/jeuda_123_best_experience_protection_version_anglaise.pd See you soon through Calao Express 100! http://www.maejt.org/ PREVIOUS CALAO EXPRESS EDITIONS