Uganda - First child protection workshops met with enthusiasm by new communities

After the success of our Soweto pilot project we are now starting to replicate this work in the neighbouring slum communities of Loco , Masese I and Masese III, which are located on the periphery of Jinja. 

After building relationships in each area, the Child Protection Teams conducted a thorough needs assessment. It emerged that whilst each community has their own specific needs, the most urgent issue identified across all three is the struggle with child protection and child neglect. 

In response to this, in partnership with community leaders and stakeholders, Children on the Edge Africa have facilitated participatory workshops in each area to raise awareness of child abuse, its forms, causes and effects on the child’s growth and development process. The training in each area included:

• Basic child care training on education and guidance, immunisation, diet, clothing, shelter and medical attention. 
• Awareness about different forms of child abuse, the effects or warning signs of abuse and measures that can be taken to prevent it. 
• Teaching about children’s rights and how to uphold them.

​Around 270 parents, carers and community leaders attended this initial round of training, and contributed their own experiences and ideas. Edwin Wanabe - Programmes Director at Children on the Edge Africa described how “Since the training was designed specifically for the local people that were there, it encouraged the community members to be increasingly self- directed rather than facilitator directed. It enabled them to build upon their past experience as a resource and share about real life problems. They were really impressed with the workshop, and have requested more training”. 

In addition to encouraging the participation of parents and guardians, the training encouraged adults in turn to support the participation of children. “Many parents don’t know that denying children their participatory rights drives low their self-esteem” said Mbulante Betty (former head of the Jinja child protection unit) “so carers should always listen to their children’s views so as to help them build the self-confidence”.

Near the end of each workshop there was an opportunity for the groups to discuss and identify areas and people that present potential dangers for children within each community. Parents and guardians were encouraged to be cautious about who spends time with their child and to keep watch on where the community children tend to spend most of their time.

On the request of the attendees, future training sessions will be covering a range of issues including child development, parenting techniques, reproductive health and alcohol abuse. Acting on information arising from workshop discussions, the Child Protection Team will also be offering individual support to vulnerable families.​

Find out more about the new work in Loco, Masese I and Masese III.

One of these workshops costs just £45, think about donating towards the next one, or simply text EDGE16£3 to 70070 to donate £3.
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​Thank you.