On Sunday, February 11, 2024, Children Empowerment Network Club members and parents of the children in this learning club convened a meeting to foster cooperation in the social, educational, and overall development of the children.
TWIZEYIMANA Emmanuel, the club’s head, expressed gratitude to the participants and voiced confidence that fruitful discussions would ensue to benefit the children, families, and the country as a whole.
Founded in 2018 by young individuals from the Salesian family, who recognized the community’s concern for young people, especially those from impoverished backgrounds, the club aims to ensure the rights of children are upheld. The club emphasized that protecting and caring for children is not solely the responsibility of the Salesians and the government, but rather a collective duty. They highlighted existing challenges such as child abuse, vulnerability, abandonment, lack of education, malnutrition, gender-based violence, child mortality, and forced labor.
During the meeting, club members shared success stories of parents who were interviewed by the club. These parents initially believed that their children would never return to school or learn to read. However, thanks to the intervention of the club, these children have successfully returned to school. The parents expressed their gratitude as many of them found supportive families who took them in after witnessing the positive changes.
The club further explained that their outreach efforts aim to prevent children from impoverished families from dropping out of school due to various reasons such as rights awakening, family conflicts, poverty, and persecution. Additionally, parents were reminded of their role in protecting children who may be subjected to abuse.
The leader of the club used an anecdote to highlight the importance of mothers in a child’s education. He narrated a story where a mother took her child to a forest and cautioned them about avoiding thorns. The mother stated that wherever the child stepped, she would also step, emphasizing the need for parental guidance.
While appreciative of the advice received from the club, parents requested assistance in finding small animals to ensure their children do not go hungry when they leave school. To facilitate ongoing collaboration, parents established a fund wherein each parent would deposit three hundred Rwandan Francs monthly.
Since its establishment, Children Empowerment Network Club has engaged in various activities to support children, including advocating for underprivileged children, providing meals to abandoned children, organizing public sports and youth competitions, celebrating African Children’s Day, promoting child protection campaigns, and collecting school supplies for disadvantaged children. These initiatives will continue throughout 2024. Presently, the club supports 25 children and anticipates an increase in the future.
