A children's rights club is an organized group of children between 7 and 18 years of age who come together to learn, promote and translate the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Children. Each club comprises approximately 40 members to allow for lively discussions during meetings.

Objectives of the club

• Promote awareness of children and responsibilities

• Encourage tolerance of different opinions, freedom of expression and respect for the law

• To promote the artistic talents of children through drama, music, writing and art

• To promote sensitivity to environment, social and development issues that affect children

How to establish Children's Rights

• Select a facilitator for the club

• Identify members of the club

• Organize club activities

• Start implementation of the activities

There are a number of clubs that have been established in other parts of the country.

From the Child Rights club..

The Tom Mboya Child Rights Club

The Tom Mboya Child Rights Club in Dandora celebrated its first anniversary in October 2000.

Present during the celebrations was the deputy head teacher of the school, Chitegemee Child Rights Club facilitator, a representative from KAACR and club members. In his speech, the deputy head-teacher challenged KAACR to establish clubs in all schools, saying they are good and impart important information to children.

The chair-person of the club read the 2000-2001 plans for the club which included exchange programmes between the club and the neighboring schools, holding campaigns against child abuse in schools, carrying out projects like growing vegetables to raise money for the club and visiting street children and the aged at Dandora Phase 4.

The club, with the motto "Child Poverty is the Nation's poverty" was started in 1999. Currently, it has 40 member and 2 facilitators.

By Mrs. Eunice Owuor and Rose Oyoo, Chitegemee Child Rights Club, Nairobi.

A Cry for my Rights

Oh dark intolerable, inescapable night
That has no day
Clouds that no air can take away
That piercing pain
And torture in the flesh
Are the souls dark memories
 

In my parents I have no hope
I fight hard to give myself direction
Food is my great problem
To school I have never stepped
Education is a vocabulary
Probably placed in the dictionary by
mistake

Among my age mates
Non have been as sad as I am
My illusions have always been sad
A good life to live, I have never had
Now look! I am in the streets
A wanderer I became

As emaciated as i am
I will no longer keep mum
And though my end is imminent
I must reach my fellow children
Hey you there! Hearken to my appeal
Not based on rumour but experience

Listen! listen! listen to me
I have a cry, crying for my rights
Join me in the crusade
To save humanity
Stop violating children's rights
Practice safer treatment of children

By Maritim Kimutai
Kabete Approved School
Nairobi

The child is the official biannual magazine of Kenya Alliance for Advancement of Children (KAACR). We welcome short articles, poems, jokes, puzzles and illustrations for publication.

Contents

Editorial
Letters to the Editor
From the Clubs
Children's Assembly
Jokes
Poetry Line
Story Time
Hold your Ribs
My kind of president
Say yes for Children

You can address you write_ups to

Editor,The Child Magazine
P.O. Box 73637, Nairobi
Tel.632162, Fax 632134
or Mail to kaacr@kaacr.com

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