It lies with the children

Seventy years ago, Unicef was founded to meet the desperate needs of children whose lives had been torn apart by World War II. It did not matter then which country those children lived in or what role that country played in the war. What mattered was reaching the children at greatest risk and in greatest need.Unicef brought these children life-saving humanitarian support and long-term assistance. In doing so, it also brought hope to children who had endured the horrors of war and deprivation. Hope for a more normal childhood. Hope for a better future.Seventy years on, Unicef has played a significant part in dramatically reducing child deaths and helping millions of children fulfil their potential.In Namibia, Unicef has continued to maintain and strengthen partnerships, relationships and alliances to accelerate the realisation of children's rights. It is through these partnerships that Namibia continues to witness breakthroughs and resounding achievements in increasing immunisation coverage, combatting HIV and Aids, reducing infant mortality, ensuring universal free primary education, better access to clean water, giving every child a fair chance in life, while ensuring that all children are protected from all forms of violence and exploitationAs Unicef continues its work and celebrates the achievements made for Namibia's children, it recognises that too many children are still being left behind and its work has never been more urgent. These children are being left behind because of their gender, race, religion, ethnic group or disability; because they live in poverty or in hard-to-reach communities; or simply because they are children. Some children are excluded because they live with disabilities.Bringing hope to the Sunshine Centre's children, in June 2016, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, the Unicef Goodwill Ambassador for eastern and southern Africa, travelled to Swakopmund to participate in the Day of the African Child (DAC) National commemorations. At the event Yvonne was fascinated by the Sunshine Centre Children's Choir and fell in love with the song they were performing. From there an idea of collaborating with the choir was born. The song entitled “Kulila” which was written by Gerson Mwatile (Dollar), describes the hardships that many men go through when they leave their villages for the city in search of a better life. “The struggles and challenges explained in the song are in line with what children living with disabilities go through,” Yvonne said. “Surviving and thriving to their full potential can be especially difficult for children with disabilities. They are confronted with additional challenges as a result of their impairments and the many barriers that society throws their way. They encounter different forms of exclusion based on the degree of their disability and more so their gender.”Although very little information is available on children with disability and their actual participation in education and coverage of disability grants in Namibia, studies suggest a high degree of mental health problems among children and young people.A school-based survey in grades 7 to 9 in 2004 showed that 21% of learners had seriously considered attempting suicide. Of these, 36% had made a plan about how to attempt suicide and 42% said they had attempted suicide one or more times during the last 12 months. Services for children with mental health problems, however, remain scarce.The Sunshine Centre, based in Walvis Bay, is one of the few centres in the country that has opened its doors for children living with disabilities. The centre believes that every child who is differently abled has intrinsic value and potential and more so, has the right to be included in society. This is the place that the Sunshine Centre Children's Choir call their second home. Here they learn to sing, dance and are taught basic skills to enable them to live to their full potentials. The centre, which was started as a community based organisation, opened its door 21 years ago. It currently has about 30 children and young adults ranging from the ages of two to 30. The centre survives mainly from financial and in-kind assistance from local businesses especially the fishing sector. “We at Sunshine Centre believe that every child is unique and has the right to be respected as such.” said the director Elsa Murangi. “Our belief is that no child should be defined by a disability. Hence we have created an environment where each child is given an opportunity to participate in educational, cultural and recreational options for the healthy physical and intellectual development of every child.”As part of her contribution to the centre and advocating for the inclusion of children living with disabilities, this year, Yvonne Chaka Chaka recorded the “Kulila” song with the Sunshine Centre Children's Choir. The song which will be released as a single and as part of her upcoming album will be launched on 28 July in Walvis Bay. The event aims to raise funds for the centre and demonstrate the many talents that children living with disabilities have. Portion of the proceeds from the song will also benefit the centre.“Unicef is proud to be associated with such a successful and meaningful endeavour,” said Unicef representative Micaela Marques de Sousa. “Children with disabilities have rights too. We need to ensure that they are able to enjoy the same rights and choices as other children - among these, the right to life and to the opportunities that flow from good health care, nutrition and education. They should not be treated nor regarded simply as recipients of charity.” STAFF REPORTER

It lies with the children

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-26

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It lies with the children

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-26

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