St. Martin celebrates African Child Day

On June 16, 1976 fifteen thousand school children gathered in Soweto - South Africa to protest against the Government’s ruling that half of all classes in the schools must be taught in Afrikaans. Teachers and parents felt that this was yet another tool of oppression. Their cry and protest to resist this new language was unheard. Police confronted these earnest school children and without warning opened fire. The children fought back with stones and sticks and hundreds of them were wounded and killed.

This day was initially observed in South Africa but later other African countries adopted it as the African child day. St. Martin through the community programme for street and needy children has in the past joined hands with children all over Africa to mark this day. Last year, the theme was “African orphans our collective responsibility”.

During the year the organisation involved communities in addressing the socio-economic, emotional and spiritual needs of orphans and other children in difficult circumstances. For instance 158-orphaned children received financial assistance through the community to continue with their education, 42 children from the streets were rehabilitated and reintegrated back to the community and 7 cases of child abuse were represented in court and justice done. Many more children received love and warmth from their communities.

The theme of this year is  “Right to protection: Stop violence against children.” As we celebrate this day with children in our centers; we awaken our calling to unite hands with others and speak for the voiceless. In many Africa societies children are nurtured to be silent and obedient to the elderly. This is even so when their rights are violated or taken away. Today we pledge to work with children by continuously empowering more of community volunteers and working in love and solidarity with all and sundry to give children a better world to live in and a reason to smile.  

CP for Street Needy Children