adolescents grow up healthy, upgrading their social norms and advocating for child rights the...
TRANSCRIPT
ADOLESCENTS GROW UP HEALTHY, UPGRADING THEIR
SOCIAL NORMS AND ADVOCATING FOR CHILD RIGHTS
THE EXPERIENCE OF TIKONDANE CARE FOR CHILDREN ON/OFF THE STREETS
by Sr Mwamba Malunga Florence, MSOLA
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe 2015
“Boys and girls in partnership for Child
protection
Background of Tikondane care for children on/off the street
projectStarted in 1997
Initiated by the Missionary sisters of our
Lady of Africa in collaboration with the
Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe
Work with children, their families and
government child protection structures to
enhance child protection in their natural
environment
Adolescent Growing up on the Streets
Deprived of love, care and social protection
Survival behavior perceived as antisocial – deviance Delinquency etc……
Need to upgrade social norms for successful re-
integration in the community and school
system
TIKONDANE Bi-annual Special Education events developed since 2013
Target boys and girls off the streets aged between 9- 17years old and some of them are placed in boarding schools
Adolescents learn mostly through their peers, who
may influence them negatively or positively.
Therefore peers who have been in similar situations and have learnt positive social norms can be highly
influential in motivating others for better goals in
life.
Children & Adolescents Involved in the Implementation of the
Organization CPP.• Boys and girls trained in Child protection, through various child initiatives in the project, with the aim of empowering them to protect
themselves and others.
Boys and girl, becomes then partners with the social workers in promoting child protection. They are no longer
passive recipients but activist in reporting, advising, advocating and
taking pre-caution in self protection and protection of others.
• Main objectives
• To provide young people with an environment that help them to enhance their social skills, learn and practice leadership, create norms and regulations for small community living group .
• Peer guidance, mentoring and motivation
• Learn and create ways of advocacy- engage the community through art.
• Space for counselling and personal guidance for the young people who need it.
• Deepen the understanding of Child protection
TIKONDANE Bi-annual Special Education events
Main Education Activities Capacity Building Empowerment Outcome
“Train the trainers” sessions for peer motivators
Peer motivators act as role models, accompany, support and motivates their peers by being role models
Training in leadership and community living; small peer groups choose their own leaders and set goals and for community leaving
Motivated children and adolescents learn how to take responsibility, feel trusted and grow in self esteem. They lead and actively participate in small living community following their set norms and patterning required behavior. Demonstration of mutual support and encouragement.
Main Education Activities Capacity Building on Child Protection
Empowerment outcome
Children- adolescents trained in social protection, learn to advocate for child rights
Children /adolescents have become aware on how to protect themselves and others. Round table discussion with children, parents and community members.
Open days organized in collaboration with children, they actively patriciate in debates.
Children/adolescents perform drama(s) and dances to raise community awareness of child care and protection.
Some lessons learnedPeers are significant persons who influence
adolescences, therefore investing in helping adolescents to develop positive influence on their peer is a very effective approach in the rehabilitation of Children and young people at risk.
Unconditional positive regard, encouragement, trust. Loving Kindness, and acceptance used in our social work and education strategies motivate children /adolescents who have given up on themselves to be involved in rebuilding their lives and live healthier.
In order to see adolescents and children at risk break through from their painful experiences in rebuilding their lives, we need to consider them as partners in the action and not just mere “ recipients”
Boys and girls off the streets become mentors of other young people with a greater sense of direction
and self-confidence. Motivated by them, younger teens set their own positive goals, show a greater sense
of responsibility, learn protection issues, and are
empowered to report abuses to the authorities.
Result & Conclusion
re
A good number of community members changed their attitudes through listening
to children talking from their own experience and advocating for love, care
and protection for all children.
Result & Conclusion
Adolescents have stronger confidence in social workers, who learn to consider them as partners in promoting love, care and protection
Round Table Discussion
THANK YOU