In Solidarity with the African Child:Case of Mt. Elgon District

Mount Elgon has regained a relative calm after two years of incursion by a militia group, the Sabaot Land Defence Force (SLDF) and the successful disarmament process by the military personnel.However the insecurity in the region disrupted the normal lifestyle of the residents resulted into several attrocities ,destruction and looting of properties, closure of schools, rape of women and girls and killings. One very painful thing that will still linger and remain a threat to peace in Mt. Elgon is the fate of the young boys who were forcefully recruited into the militia and are now back in the villages without anything meaningful to engage with in life.
Mt. Elgon childrens department organized to mark the day of the African Child on the 16th june 2009,with the aim of providing opportunity for the children to interact with one another as a means to give hope to young boys whose lives have been wasted for a course not of their making.USAID/OTI - KTI programme with commitment to future stability of this nation, supported the one day event with less than US $ 5000 to print T/Shirts,purchase balls and trophies, print banners,publicize and amplify event through local radio stations for other stakeholders to participate,transport children from 3 locations to the venue and hire public address system to be used.There were entertainment from young boys and girls from various primary and secondary schools within the district, testimonies from community leaders and teachers, speeches from other actors and government departments and finally a friendly football match between the ex-child soldiers and children from the communities.The theme of the of plays by the various schools was on the protection of the children rights, provision of education and discarding of archaic cultures that violate human rights and the need to co-exist harmoniously.The testimonies by the Ex-child soldiers of Mt Elgon were moving and heart rendering .The district children officer, Mr Geoffrey Musoko is thankful to USAID/OTI- KTI program. He said that the childrens department will work with other stakeholders to help in the rehabilitation of the children and to provide them with necessary skills that can help them achieve their dreams in life.USAID/OTI- KTI Eldoret field office will be interested in seeing partnership among actors developed to support the department.The event was covered well by the Standard newspaper(Thursday,june 18,2009) which is a national print media in Kenya.