Gisteravond kregen we het verslag van het eerste half jaar van ons project binnen; een uitgebreid verslag maar goed leesbaar, ontroerend en soms ook schokkend zoals het onderstaande levensverhaal dat een jonge vrouw van 23 voorlas tijdens de Day of the African Child op 16 juni.
Zij was op haar 12e uitgehuwelijkt omdat haar vader een schuld had te vereffenen; hij had met zijn motorfiets de koe van een ander dood gereden. De vader had geen baan en zag dit huwelijk als uitweg om de eigenaar van de koe af te betalen.

‘’My name is Fatu, the eldest of 5 siblings. I entered into early marriage at the age of 12 years. Now I have two sons and one girl. I developed fistula after giving birth to my second child who died 3 days later. My marriage became a death sentence because I married to a 55year old man, older than my father. I was forced to have sex with him because he believes that I am his property and that nobody can stop him. I am unable to cope with the demands of such life after the man died and left me with this bad condition and two children to take care of. My family has rejected me and also my community because of my condition. I blame my parent and also the community for taking this decision of marriage at a tender age. I would love to have being educated and become a ”Banker”.

Het volledige verslag vinden jullie op de website onder Defence for Children – verslagen.

Vandaag mag de jongerengroep van Defence for Children Kabala- Sierra Leone voor President Koroma van Sierra Leone een toneelstukje opvoeren. Dit toneelstuk gaat over de gevolgen van kindhuwelijken en tienerzwangerschappen, iets wat in Sierra Leone nog veel voorkomt. De jongerengroep wil hiermee haar aandacht vragen voor kinderrechten in het land. Succes jongeren.

Op 16 juni is het de Day of the African Child.
Er zullen allerlei activiteiten plaats vinden door het hele land en dit jaar zal de president Kabala bezoeken. Het thema van de dag is kindhuwelijken en tienerzwangerschappen en Onze Samira mag tijdens dit bezoek een presentatie verzorgen!

Samira:
This day means a lot in the lives of African children.
We use it also to remember children who died in the war.
On this day we think of the number of children that lost their lives fighting for their rights and freedom.
We do a match pass with banners reminding people of children’s right, we do radio programs discussing children’s rights and responsibilities, issues affecting children,I will be doing quiz competition and radio programs with the children in Kabala. I am also printing T shirts they will be wearing.

Kabala is hosting the day national and the President is going to be here.
This years theme is on Early marriage and Teenage pregnancy.
I will be doing a presentation on that.

Samira begin mei via Whatsapp:

We have started our sessions already and these kids are so ready to learn and they are so cooperative.
They are teenagers, some are younger (ik zie ze net boven de tafel uit komen ) but they are above 8.

On my way to my new station, new region, town and community. I had to take off without saying goodbye because the community people are saddened by my living more especially the children. I can’t stand the tears, I will miss them so much. I have done my job and much impact has being made and I thank God I am a blessing in there lives. Now I need to go bless some more vulnerable kids elsewhere. I’m like Mary Poppins; I am around when you don’t need me around and I am gone when you really want me around. If you’ve watch any of those Poppins movie, you’ll know exactly what I mean. Good bye South! Hello North!

Samira Halloway