Category: #GetToKnowUs

Ending Child Sacrifice: Watch the Inside Story of the Five Year Fight to Change the Law in Uganda

11/7/2021

On Monday 7th June we held a special virtual event, telling the inside story of our five-year fight (seven years for Annie) to change the law in Uganda and put an end to the horrific practice of child sacrifice. All members of our panel have dedicated themselves to the fight for change and we heard from them about the many highs and lows, what inspired the campaign, and how it all started with a group of local community volunteers working to protect their own children.

Our Panel included:

Rachel Bentley, CEO & Co-founder of Children on the Edge
Annie Ikpa, Freelance Television Editor and instigator of the Bill
Winnie Biira, CEO of Children on the Edge Africa (COTEA)
Michael Chibita, Supreme Court Judge
Hon Atiku Bernard, Private Member of the Ugandan Parliament

We’ve put together a video of our highlights from the evening for you to watch...

Q&A with Programme Manager Balaba Henry Bosco #GetToKnowUs

27/4/2021

Last month we introduced Programme Manager Balaba Henry Bosco (Henry) who is part of the COTE Africa team in Uganda, and works with refugees from the DR Congo in the Kyaka II settlement. He told us about his work in Kyaka II and his hopes for the future, and then we threw it over to YOU.

Giving our supporters an opportunity to ask Henry a question. We were sent some fantastic questions which Henry has answered, read on to find out what he said about the most challenging parts of his job and how he helped to spread joy in the COTE Africa office at Christmas.

Meet Project Officer - Shaila Thairin Turin

26/1/2021

We wanted to introduce some of the inspirational people we work with in our projects across the world. This month we spoke to Shaila Thairin Turin who is a Project Officer in Bangladesh, to find out more about her career and her favourite moments working with children in the Learning Centres.

My name is Shaila Thairin Turin. I am from a family of eight and my parents are both retired so they depend on me entirely for support. I completed my postgraduate masters degree in Sociology from Chittagong Government College. I am from Chakaria in Cox's Bazar but I am staying in Ukhiya for my work as a Project Officer for Mukti and Children and the Edge in Kutupalong refugee camp.

Meet Project Officer - Somorjit Das Raju

1/11/2020

Project Officer Somorjit Das Raju with children in one of the Learning Centre.

In all of our projects around the world we work in partnership with local organisations and people from the communities to help create safe, child friendly environments where children can realise their rights and restore the ingredients of a full childhood by generating hope, life, colour and fun.

In the Kutupalong camps where we work in partnership with local organisation Mukti Cox’s Bazar to provide education for 7,500 Rohingya children. We spoke to 28 year old Project Officer, Somorjit Das Raju who is part of the Mukti team, to find out more about his career and his highlights working with children in the Learning Centres.

‘Women should defend themselves without fear, for they are the world’s backbone.’ - Ten questions for Winnie Biira on how to #BeBoldForChange

28/2/2017

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Each year on the 8th of March, International Women’s Day encourages us all to forge a better working and more gender inclusive world.

Children on the Edge works with local partners to restore the ingredients of a full childhood to some of the most vulnerable children worldwide. A big part of this is working towards equality in opportunities and an end to discrimination for the girls we work with.

The theme for the 2017 International Women's Day is #BeBoldForChange and we are privileged to be partnering with a number of truly inspirational women, who constantly use boldness and strength to bring about change for women and girls in their communities.

Winnie Biira is the Finance, Human Resource and Policy Director at Children on the Edge Africa, in Jinja, Uganda. She ensures that organisation’s systems and resources are efficiently and effectively utilised to increase its capacity and meet its goals. She also inputs into the facilitation of our education loan scheme. We interviewed Winnie about what inspires her to be bold in creating change, what changes are possible, and how she overcomes obstacles and barriers in her work.

1. Can you describe why you first wanted to do this work?
The work I am doing is my area of study. I had 10 years experience before extending my services to Children on The Edge. I first wanted to do this work with Children on the Edge Africa in order to help those in need, those that have been deprived of their rights by corrupt people.

I felt I was given an opportunity to honestly deliver services to those who need them most. I deeply love children with all my heart and do not want to see them get hurt. With my work, I was positive that I would ensure that the right resources are delivered to the right beneficiaries and I would take pride in that. I did not care what others felt as long as the needy have got what they deserve.

I felt I could use my skills to streamline the accounting and finance systems. I can put policies in place to reduce stress when it comes to implementation and make sure there is no room for manipulation.

2. Have there been things that have happened in your life that have inspired you to do the work you do now?
A number of things have happened in my life that have inspired me to do the work I do now. The work I do was my dream career since childhood. I grew up in an environment where I was surrounded by companies, and I very much wanted to be a banker and count money since my father was the regional postal superintendent. He used to count money and he taught us how to do it! The women that were working in those companies were always smart and that inspired me a lot to study hard, work in these kinds of offices and to be as smart as they were!

When I visited the work we do with Children on The Edge, I was touched by the way people live and survive. I felt I should work even harder to help them live a decent life, firstly by letting them know their rights and then to fight for them boldly by building their confidence and self-esteem. I ensure that these communities receive the resources they need so they can earn a better living and be happy.

Another inspiration was the systems put in place by Children on the Edge. They are an equal opportunities employer, considerate, they are kind and care deeply for their employees. Salaries are paid on time and policies are straight forward and friendly.

3. Have there been barriers you have had to overcome to achieve what you are doing now and barriers in the present? If so, how did you do you overcome them?

I am fortunate and have not experienced any barriers in what I am doing now. Children on the Edge has provided what is required to get work done and my family supports me to move on with my work well.

4. Are there any situations in your work that are made particularly difficult or in some cases easier because you are a woman?

I have not gone through difficult situations because I am a woman, instead I have had easier situations. At one point I had two children, one after the other in a short period of time, and I got so worried! Children on the Edge was there for me though. I was given maternity leave, all the support that I required and they kept telling me that children are a gift that they bring happiness and joy to the family.

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5. What are some of the hardest moments you have experienced in what you do?

Handling finance, human resources and policies is a sensitive task that requires boldness and honesty. Integrity is important to me and important for our work, so I have had to be so strict to ensure things are done the right way. As a result, some people have referred to me as “THAT WOMAN!!”.

In my life, sometimes I have to blow the whistle and terminate employee contracts. This is not an easy task given the fact that they also have families that depend on them. I have to think about the best interests of the children. However, this does not discourage me, it rather strengthens my work knowing that I am being bold to bring change to the world without fear.

6. What are some of the happiest/most inspiring moments you have experienced with what you do?

The happiest moments I have experienced is when there is a positive change in the communities we reach out to. For example when we give out education loans I then get to see the community women busy with their businesses, with their livelihoods improved. I see the children who were home can now access school, they are healthier and there is a reduction in child abuse cases. Those are the moments when I feel I am great because I have honestly given them what is theirs and ensured it is of maximum benefit.
Other moments are when all the staff have worked hard and when I am issuing pay cheques at end of month I see smiles on their faces. This is a happy time for me too as I am assured of covering the needs of my family. I also love to feel I have accomplished my work well when I look at our financial reports each quarter.

7. What change would you like to bring through your work and for the people you work with?
Through my work, I would love to see the communities we serve improve their livelihoods and take responsibility for their rights and those of their children. This can be done if I ensure that the organisation’s financial and other resources are effectively and efficiently utilised.

8. Can you describe any ways that the women and girls you work with have changed, or overcome obstacles in the time you have been working with them?

Women and girls have overcome many obstacles and changed in the time I have been working with them. Through the education fund loans, women have seen their children go to school, they are improving their livelihoods and have seen their children become healthy as a result.
The women and girls have become aware of their rights and have built up their self esteem and confidence to the point that they are bold enough to report domestic violence cases and child abuse cases to the authorities. This boldness I am certain will bring change to the communities and the world at large.
9. Are there situations where you have had to be brave or bold to bring about change? How do you overcome your fears?

Yes, there are a number of cases where I have been bold and stood by my decisions for the good of the organisation, my family and the communities we work with. My faith has helped me overcome my fears and also the simple knowledge that I am doing my job to the best of my ability and it is my duty to protect the organisation’s resources.

10. What would you say to encourage women who would like to make a difference in the world?

Women should be bold and stand up to protect their rights in order to bring change to this world. They should defend themselves without fear for they are the world’s backbone, without which it cannot stand.

‘I like helping other women to change their lives. I am what I am today because I was also helped by someone.’ - Ten questions for Nandawula Babra on how to #BeBoldForChange

28/2/2017

Each year on the 8th of March, International Women’s Day encourages us all to forge a more gender inclusive, better working world.

Children on the Edge works with local partners to restore the ingredients of a full childhood to some of the most vulnerable children worldwide. A big part of this is working towards equality in opportunities and an end to discrimination for the women and girls we work with.

The theme for the 2017 International Women's Day is #BeBoldForChange and we are privileged to be partnering with a number of truly inspirational women, who use boldness and strength to bring about change for women and girls in their communities.

Nandawula Babra is a social worker at Children on the Edge Africa, in Jinja, Uganda. She grew up in the slums here, and has been a social worker for 15 years. She is now responsible for the development, support and facilitation of the Child Protection Teams that work across four slum areas surrounding the main town.

1. Can you describe why you first wanted to do this work?

It’s because my passion is helping vulnerable people change to a better life, especially children and single mothers.

2. Have there been things that have happened in your life that have inspired you to do the work you do now?

Yes. I went through a lot of hardships in all the 11 years I was married, until finally my husband abandoned me and my two children. I had no job at that moment. After some time of suffering, my elder sister offered to take care of the children and advised me to look for a job. It wasn’t easy for me because I had dropped out of school after completing senior year four.

After a while a friend directed me to the Jinja Social Services office.There I met Mary (the officer in charge) who found me a sponsor and I joined the Jinja branch of YMCA and studied social development. Immediately after completing my certificate, Mary employed me in her NGO as a community worker and I used the salary to pay to do a diploma in social development.

That is the reason why I like helping other women to change their lives, because I am what I am today because I was also helped by someone. My children are at school and I have a better job because of that support I was given when I was vulnerable.

3. Have there been barriers you have had to overcome to achieve what you are doing now and barriers in the present? If so, how did you do you overcome them?

The barriers I had in life at that difficult time were that I didn’t have any qualifications and I had a family to look after. However, because I did not just sit and cry, I managed to find a person who directed me to where their was the right opportunity and I also had the support of my sister, which gave me courage to go on. I don’t find any barriers now.

4. Are there any situations in your work that are made particularly difficult or in some cases easier because you are a woman?

I have not encountered any difficulties yet, but what helps my work is that most of the women in the communities where I work are single parents, so it gives me strength to help them change their standards of living. Because I have changed my life despite being a single mother, I know they can too, so they are encouraged and given hope.

5. What are some of the hardest moments you have experienced in what you do?

When I come across a single mother with many children who has no employment, who ends up sending children to do petty jobs to find something to eat, I find it hard as I cannot stop them immediately. At this stage they have to eat, and I cannot feed the family. It is a slow process, and especially hard if the mother refuses to take the education fund loan because she worries she will not manage it due to her many responsibilities.

I also find it hard when a child completes their education at the Early Childhood Development Centre and the parent can’t pay for their primary education, maybe because she has no job or because she is bed ridden. This is how the education loans will help.

6. What are some of the happiest/most inspiring moments you have experienced with what you do?

The happiest moments are when I make follow-up visits and find a client who was depressed, that is now happy with her children. For instance when we identify a mother who has been abandoned by her husband, with all her children out of school and then through my work I can help to find her happiness, this tells me a positive story about her life.

7. What change would you like to bring through your work and for the people you work with?

I am looking forward to seeing empowered women who know their rights and can support their families, they will not be sitting back and crying all the time, thinking that they cannot do anything because they are women.

8. Can you describe any ways that the women and girls you work with have changed, or overcome obstacles in the time you have been working with them?

For the 15 years I have worked as a social worker, I have been talking to young girls especially young mothers, encouraging them not to think that giving birth is the end of everything. In those talks, I help them identify what they can learn (a skill) or do to earn a living, and also talk about how to be good mothers to their children. Through that, those who follow my words have gone into work like tailoring and hair dressing, all of which helps them to create an independent income and take care of their children.

Because sewing machines are expensive here in Uganda, I bought three machines which I lend to mothers who have completed their training and cannot afford a machine to use. The mother then buys the machine, by paying in instalments and I use the money to buy machines for other women.

I am also glad that Children on the Edge introduced the education fund scheme which helps mothers to start up businesses and gives training on small business management. This helps them provide for the basic needs of their families.

For battered women, I link them to different public offices which support women in need and train them on their rights. I know they can stand up for their rights if they are properly empowered.

9. Are there situations where you have had to be brave or bold to bring about change? How do you overcome your fears?

I have to be bold when dealing with husbands who violate the rights of their wives and children, it is not easy to interfere in other people’s homes. I stand firm because I know that domestic violence and child neglect are crimes punishable by law. I do everything knowing I am protected by the different public sectors which protect women and children like the police child and family protection unit, probation and the social welfare office.

10. What would you say to encourage young or old women who would like to make a difference in the world?

Women should know that they can do everything a man does to live a better life. They should always offer support of any kind to fellow women who need their help, regardless of what their situation may be, because this co-operation brings hope and changes lives.

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LATEST STORIES

Ending Child Sacrifice: Watch the Inside Story of the Five Year Fight to Change the Law in Uganda

Q&A with Programme Manager Balaba Henry Bosco #GetToKnowUs

Meet Project Officer - Shaila Thairin Turin

Meet Project Officer - Somorjit Das Raju

‘Women should defend themselves without fear, for they are the world’s backbone.’ - Ten questions for Winnie Biira on how to #BeBoldForChange

‘I like helping other women to change their lives. I am what I am today because I was also helped by someone.’ - Ten questions for Nandawula Babra on how to #BeBoldForChange

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LATEST STORIES

Ending Child Sacrifice: Watch the Inside Story of the Five Year Fight to Change the Law in Uganda

Q&A with Programme Manager Balaba Henry Bosco #GetToKnowUs

Meet Project Officer - Shaila Thairin Turin

Meet Project Officer - Somorjit Das Raju

‘Women should defend themselves without fear, for they are the world’s backbone.’ - Ten questions for Winnie Biira on how to #BeBoldForChange

‘I like helping other women to change their lives. I am what I am today because I was also helped by someone.’ - Ten questions for Nandawula Babra on how to #BeBoldForChange

RECEIVE OUR EMAILS

Blog Categories

Archives

Get Involved

aBOUT US

Registered charity no. 1101441REGISTERED COMPANY No. 4996130

Registered charity no. 1101441
REGISTERED COMPANY No. 4996130