By Tabora Bojang
Child Protection Alliance the Gambia recently trained and supported fifteen (15) child-led clubs on life skills development in the Lower River Region.
The three-day intensive training was conducted at Trans-Gambia Lodge in Jarra Pakalinding LRR, with funding from the European Union and Action-Aid International through its project dubbed “Empowering Child Focus Organizations to promote children’s Rights in 3 Regions of Gambia”.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, child rights Project officer of the Child Protection Alliance Abdoulie Fye said the main objective of the training is to strengthen the capacity of school voice clubs on life skills, especially in decision making, leadership and public speaking, building, self-esteem, communication and others to enhance their participation and confidence building.
“We are hopeful that the training will help the voice clubs to intensify their advocacy on child rights promotion and child protection in their communities, regions and the country at large during the project and beyond,” Fye said.
Adding that; “They will be empowered with the necessary tools to deal with the daily challenges of life, to be able to live harmoniously with others and protect themselves from all forms of abuse and exploitation.”
He said the training will equip and help mentor participants to support the advocacy work of their clubs on children’s rights on behalf of their peers within the schools and their communities and participate in the inter-generational dialogues with the duty bearers to advocate on the issues affecting them to influence policy and legal changes.
A total of 15 students and teachers participated in the training and all the 15 Voice Clubs developed activity plans to conduct school and community outreaches within their areas.
Fye said some of the children will be selected to coordinate the radio talk shows and awareness raising activities in their schools and the communities with the out of school children.
CPA the Gambia established in April 2001 is a nationwide grouping of almost 50 institutions focused on the promotion and preservation of children’s rights in Gambia. Since its inception it has taken significant steps in the promotion and protection of child rights and also lobbies for adequate legislative changes to address issues concerning children.
