115 (June 2013) Monthly Internet edition of the African Movement of Working Children and Youth (AMWCY) Published by Enda with the support of Plan *************************************************************************** Write to us at capexcom@endatiersmonde.org or at jeuda@endatiersmonde.org and visit our site www.maejt.org *************************************************************************** * Democratic Republic of Congo: Death of a WCY in Goma *AMWCY: Dates set for the 9th meeting *Benin: AWCYs’ Activities *Burkina Faso: Renewing the partnership convention with MASSN  *The Gambia: Training workshop on Grassroots Groups Management *Mali: Paying a visit to children in Konna *Niger: Sewing training course/successful advocacy from WCYs in Maradi *Nigeria: Collaboration with USAID/Experience sharing between WCYs *Rwanda: New Grassroots Groups *Togo: Auditing the financial management of the National Coordination *Publication: A face book page for WCYs in Ghana and Tanzania *********************************************************************************** * Democratic Republic of Congo: Death of a WCY in Goma AWCY Goma lost one of its members from the Ndosho neighborhood. His death was caused by a bomb that was thrown by M23 mutineers. The child was inside his house. Ruta was killed on the spot while six wounded people were directly taken to the hospital in Ndosho. The bomb tore to shreds the child whose body was rearranged before his burial. Many people came together at AWCY Goma in order to prevent the recurrence of such acts and to make sure children do not experience such violence again aejtgoma11@yahoo.fr *AMWCY: Dates for the 9th meeting The 9th WCYs meeting will take place in Ouagadougou on October 21 and will end on November 1, 2013. nassiratou@gmail.com, claudeouaga@yahoo.fr, maejt94@gmail.com *Benin: AWCYs’ Activities - Lake Nokoué: Grassroots Groups from the AWCY in Lake Nokoué pledged to avoid the loss of human lives on Lake Nokoué during the rainy season. On May 05, during a meeting, WCYs met with their local authorities to discuss «children as fishing nets watchmen» on the lake. To reduce the number of children who die because of heavy winds, WCYs agreed to sensitize parents whose main activity is fishing with support from village Chiefs and their advisers. Every Saturday, a team of 5 WCYs, along with neighborhood chiefs exchanged with parents about how to protect children against mosquitoes, rains and heavy winds that cause children’s death every year. This activity targeted 32, (thirty two) villages were mobilized thanks to a «gongonnement» event (a GONG player who helped spread the message beating a traditional communication tool) that was approved by the Chief of the village. - Lokossa: In March 2013, in 2 villages, WCYs organized sensitization sessions on child abuse, attended by neighborhood chiefs, parents and children. WCYs and parents advocated dialogue, communication between children and parents as a means of solving conflicts within families. aejt.benin@yahoo.fr *Burkina Faso: Renewing the partnership convention with MASSN The Partnership Convention between CNAEJT Burkina and the Ministry of Social Affairs and National Solidarity (MASSN) 2010-2012, was extended for two more years. From 2013 to 2014, the following bodies of the Ministry, namely: Provincial, Regional and Departmental Offices will support WCYs. Every office will appoint an education expert to help AWCYs technically implement their programs and projects. seydousimboro@gmail.com, nassiratou@gmail.com, claudeouaga@yahoo.fr *The Gambia: Training workshop on Grassroots Groups Management From April 30 to May 08, 2013, the AWCYs National Coordination organized a training workshop on capacity building for its members in the field of Grassroots Group management. The 27 participants had a better understanding of how to manage their groups and ensure that they operate well. They aired a radio program on the «Soma Community Radio» to sensitize people in Soma and its neighboring villages on WCYs activities. They collaborated also with journalists so that they might write better articles. Representatives from local authorities, partners and parents who attended the closing ceremony were quite appreciative of WCYs achievements and encouraged AWCY SOMA to better collaborate with local authorities. pamodousenghore2006@yahoo.fr *Mali: Paying a visit to children in Konna To help children mentally suffering from the crisis which is taking place in Northern Mali, the National Coordination, alongside AFLATOUN (a Russian children’s organization) and the NGO ?Groupe d’Appui au Programme’, paid a visit to children in Konna, from April 26 to May 03, 2013. Their aim was to assist them psychologically, and discuss with people (mostly children) who were seriously affected by the war, to set up an AWCY and explain AMWCY activities. In a city where danger permanently threatens children because of unexploded ammunitions and mines that are scattered around, meetings were held with children, the Mayor, kurranic and secular school teachers. Thanks to sketches children played, solutions were shared with authorities and partners. Setting up a 30-member WCY contact group, prior to the birth of an AWCY, makes it possible to monitor children’s protection activities. isaaktraore@yahoo.fr, aejtbama@yahoo.fr, aejtmopti@yahoo.fr *Niger: Sewing training course/successful advocacy from WCYs in Maradi - AWCY Makalondi, with financial support from the Belgian Technical Cooperation, (BTC) has been organizing sewing training sessions for its members. 20 WCYs from 10 Grassroots Groups (Bankata, Daboindi, Garbangou, Gongouba, Koulbou, Makalondi, Oufauounou, Tapee and Tiboindi) attended a 6-month training program during which they learnt a trade to better prepare their future. - On May 14, 2013, WCY Aboubacar Ousseini participated in the first meeting of the Cadre de Concertation Communal de Maradi. That meeting was held at the Town Hall. It was organized by Plan Maradi with some associations and NGO from the commune. Presided over by the 1st Deputy Chairman of the City Council, in the presence of Mayors from different communes in Maradi, the meeting focused on AWCY’s activities in its action plan. oumarou_hamani@yahoo.fr, aejtmaradi@yahoo.fr *Nigeria: Collaboration with USAID/Experience sharing between WCYs - The collaboration between AWCY in Owode and USAID enabled WCYs to give away 100 mosquito nets and water filters to people. People appreciated very much these activities and enabled members to join Grassroots Groups. They were taught some concepts about good hygiene and health. - In partnership with Oak Foundation, on April 13, 2013, in Dokiri Oko-Afo, Badagry, WCYs shared their daily difficulties (being overworked with domestic chores, lack of rest, parents and custodians’ help, etc.). Thanks to drama, drawings and poems, they came up with solutions to their problems. gbedonasu@gmail.com, jamesboyon2@yahoo.com *Rwanda: New Grassroots Groups In the villages of Taba and Mugina, WCYs participated in community works. WCYs pleaded successfully with local authorities to enable children to participate in these works and exchange with elder participants. Following this activity, 15 children are now parts of Grassroots Groups and are able to get parents’ attention in regards to WCYs’ fight against child abuse, and related protection activities. For further information, click on the following website: http://aejtrwanda.wordpress.com/2013/04/18/the-committee-of-aejt-kigali-organized-its-wide-meeting-this-14-april-2013/ aejtrda@yahoo.com *Togo: Auditing the financial management of the National Coordination From May 21 to 30, 2013, in order to reinforce the reliability and viability of the financial management of funds allocated to AWCYs in Togo in 2011 and 2012, the Coordination’s National Management Committee welcomed on its own request the consultant from Benin for an internal audit of its management.  The following items were reviewed: the breakdown of funding received between 2011 and 2012; a list of expenditures; check books, bank statements, cashier’s daily cash book, bank/cashier reconciliation, inventory of coordination equipment and a listing of funds receipts by AWCYs and the Coordination. At the end of the audit, capacity building was done, based on the weaknesses identified. benrubien07b73@gmail.com, jephter02@gmail.com, benson_or@yahoo.fr * Publications - WCYs Tanzania website and face book: The Association of Working Children and Youth in Tanzania reports its activities on its website: http://awcyt.webs.com/ and on face book: http://www.facebook.com/groups/536320979743486/ - Face book of WCYs in Ghana: WCYs’ activities are available on face book: www.facebook.com/africanmovementofworkingchildrenandyouthghana See you soon through Calao Express 116! http://www.maejt.org/page%20anglais/indexanglais.htm PREVIOUS CALAO EXPRESS EDITIONS