JamiiForums
JF Official Account
- Nov 9, 2006
- 6,227
- 5,270
Thursday 16th June 2016, Dar es salaam: Today, children from around Dar es Salaam came together to celebrate the children of Africa in an event that brought children, government, international organizations, non-profits & corporates together.
The children’s event was prepared by C-Sema who run the National Child Helpline (116) in collaboration with the government of the United Republic of Tanznaia and Jamii Media, owners of Jamii Forums & Fikra Pevu social networks.
About 500 children attended the event, which was filled with outdoor & indoor competitions. It was a day where children took the lead in the celebrations & had fun doing it too.
Children make up over 50% of Tanzania’s population and despite progress made, there are still a lot of gaps in ensuring all children live happy, healthy lives. This was noted by children during their songs, dances, & speeches as they communicated to adults their hopes & dreams.
Talking on this year’s theme, children reminded the whole society on their role in protecting children from acts of sexual abuse. “The society needs to recognize that children are a resource to our nation. Child protection committees from village, ward and district level need to put plans in place that will protect children from harm,” said children from Buza Primary School. They ended by reminding children that they too have a role to play in the fight against abuse, “let us uphold the morals, love and values that we are taught by our parents, teachers, and our beliefs. We have a duty to truthfully report things that are done to us and things done to others.”
The Ambassador of the European Union to Tanzania, H.E. Roeland van Geer, joined in the celebrations giving a short address to the children and invited guests. The European Union has invested in children in Tanzania by supporting different Violence Against Children responses including the Watoto Wetu song.
As part of the day’s festivities, Save the Children International launched an animated version of Damian Soul’s Watoto Wetu, a melody that carries a call to end humiliating punishments in schools. The animation of the song has been done by Ubongo Kids and a girl joins Damian in this version, proving that art with a meaningful message can bring about change.
Organizations which participated in the day’s celebrations included; Government representatives, The Delegation of the European Union to Tanzania, Save the Children International, UNICEF Tanzania, Plan International, Alliance France, PEN Tanzania, Ubongo Kids, Tigo, DStv, Standard Chartered Bank, Kaymu Tanzania, Shule Direct, Bubbly Bunnies, TV1, Reach for Change, Msichana Initiative, SOS Children’s Villages, CCBRT, Art in Tanzania, Flaviana Matata Foundation, Apps & Girls.
Since 1991, the Day of the African Child has been celebrated as an international day to commemorate the sad events of 1976 where children in Soweto were massacred as they marched for their rights and to celebrate the African child today, appreciate their struggle and remind ourselves of the potential that each child holds.
“When adults join hands to provide platforms and better opportunities for children, there is certainly hope for a brighter Africa,” said Amb. Nyasugara Kadeghe on behalf of C-Sema.
About C-Sema: C-Sema wants children’s services to serve their needs & interests. Through joint projects with the Government of Tanzania; the National Child Helpline (116); Children’s Opinion Letters; and Sema Magazine, we collect stories from children throughout Tanzania. These stories are used as evidence to inform relevant public authorities on budgeting for children, infrastructure for children services, and advocate for trained personnel to handle children issues at local government (councils) levels to ensure quality service delivery to children in Tanzania.
About Jamii Media: Jamii Forums is a Tanzania-based social networking website in East Africa founded by Maxence Melo and Mike Mushi in 2006. The online network is notable as the most popular social media website in Tanzania, according to All Africa. The website emphasizes its use of user-generated content to avoid penalties faced by traditional media for reporting issues in Tanzania.
About Jakaya M. Kikwete Youth Park (JMK Park): The Jakaya M. Kikwete Youth Park is a non–profit, multi–sport youth facility located in Dar es Salaam. The park offers a unique space where sports and learning are meaningfully combined. Through their healthy lifestyle education and sports programmes, youth in the community are able to engage in learning and fun. The park has no entrance fee and simply requires registration.
The children’s event was prepared by C-Sema who run the National Child Helpline (116) in collaboration with the government of the United Republic of Tanznaia and Jamii Media, owners of Jamii Forums & Fikra Pevu social networks.
About 500 children attended the event, which was filled with outdoor & indoor competitions. It was a day where children took the lead in the celebrations & had fun doing it too.
Children make up over 50% of Tanzania’s population and despite progress made, there are still a lot of gaps in ensuring all children live happy, healthy lives. This was noted by children during their songs, dances, & speeches as they communicated to adults their hopes & dreams.
Talking on this year’s theme, children reminded the whole society on their role in protecting children from acts of sexual abuse. “The society needs to recognize that children are a resource to our nation. Child protection committees from village, ward and district level need to put plans in place that will protect children from harm,” said children from Buza Primary School. They ended by reminding children that they too have a role to play in the fight against abuse, “let us uphold the morals, love and values that we are taught by our parents, teachers, and our beliefs. We have a duty to truthfully report things that are done to us and things done to others.”
The Ambassador of the European Union to Tanzania, H.E. Roeland van Geer, joined in the celebrations giving a short address to the children and invited guests. The European Union has invested in children in Tanzania by supporting different Violence Against Children responses including the Watoto Wetu song.
As part of the day’s festivities, Save the Children International launched an animated version of Damian Soul’s Watoto Wetu, a melody that carries a call to end humiliating punishments in schools. The animation of the song has been done by Ubongo Kids and a girl joins Damian in this version, proving that art with a meaningful message can bring about change.
Organizations which participated in the day’s celebrations included; Government representatives, The Delegation of the European Union to Tanzania, Save the Children International, UNICEF Tanzania, Plan International, Alliance France, PEN Tanzania, Ubongo Kids, Tigo, DStv, Standard Chartered Bank, Kaymu Tanzania, Shule Direct, Bubbly Bunnies, TV1, Reach for Change, Msichana Initiative, SOS Children’s Villages, CCBRT, Art in Tanzania, Flaviana Matata Foundation, Apps & Girls.
Since 1991, the Day of the African Child has been celebrated as an international day to commemorate the sad events of 1976 where children in Soweto were massacred as they marched for their rights and to celebrate the African child today, appreciate their struggle and remind ourselves of the potential that each child holds.
“When adults join hands to provide platforms and better opportunities for children, there is certainly hope for a brighter Africa,” said Amb. Nyasugara Kadeghe on behalf of C-Sema.
About C-Sema: C-Sema wants children’s services to serve their needs & interests. Through joint projects with the Government of Tanzania; the National Child Helpline (116); Children’s Opinion Letters; and Sema Magazine, we collect stories from children throughout Tanzania. These stories are used as evidence to inform relevant public authorities on budgeting for children, infrastructure for children services, and advocate for trained personnel to handle children issues at local government (councils) levels to ensure quality service delivery to children in Tanzania.
About Jamii Media: Jamii Forums is a Tanzania-based social networking website in East Africa founded by Maxence Melo and Mike Mushi in 2006. The online network is notable as the most popular social media website in Tanzania, according to All Africa. The website emphasizes its use of user-generated content to avoid penalties faced by traditional media for reporting issues in Tanzania.
About Jakaya M. Kikwete Youth Park (JMK Park): The Jakaya M. Kikwete Youth Park is a non–profit, multi–sport youth facility located in Dar es Salaam. The park offers a unique space where sports and learning are meaningfully combined. Through their healthy lifestyle education and sports programmes, youth in the community are able to engage in learning and fun. The park has no entrance fee and simply requires registration.