By Prince J Musa in Kenema
One of Sierra Leone’s development partners in education UNICEF in collaboration with the Initiative for Media Development (IMDev) has on the 14th December 2021 launched the photography exhibition to enhance child rights through the lens of children in Kenema. The children's photography exhibition was done by fifteen children both male and female from selected schools trained by IMDev with support from UNICEF as part of the commemoration of the organization’s humanitarian services for 75 years in full operations.
The Chairperson of the launching ceremony who is the human resource officer Kenema city council, Princess Fatorma described the event as a positive strive undertaking by UNICEF in making sure that children display their talents to develop themselves in the future. She said the idea will enable the children to grow interested in certain innovations that will enhance their academic development and called on parents to have time with their children in helping them identify their skills and talents. She commended UNICEF and partners for being supportive to the government in supporting education in Sierra Leone.
The vaccine management consultant UNICEF, Emmanuel Ansu Bemard, said, UNICEF came in into existence on the 11th December 1946, out of the crisis of World War II, with the mission then to help build the lives of children and families who were affected by the Second World War. He stated that 2021 represents the existence of UNICEF for 75 years in active and uninterrupted commitment to services delivery such as care for children in terms of health and protection.
The UNICEF representative said the Sierra Leone office started in 1985 and had worked with the successive government in response to children interests such as child health, nutrition, child protection, education including water and sanitation, adding that, UNICEF’s supports to the government has also been recognized during emergency situations such as the ten years civil war, Ebola epidemic, mudslide and now the covid-19 pandemic. He added that the cooperation between UNICEF and government translated into success for children survival and protection by reducing infant mortality, increase in schools enrolment and other measures that were necessary for the protection of children.
Bemard reiterated that the partnership has ensured enforcement and changes in-laws such as the child rights Act of 2007.
The Vaccine Management Consultant added that, in 2021, UNICEF was able to collaborate with IMdev for the project ‘’child rights through the lens of children.” with the hope of empowering and serving as agents of change in their communities.
He maintained that the use of photography was done for the children so that those photos will be used to tell their own stories and for them to ascertain the progress of children’s rights.
He stated that the different pictures portray the high tendency of child labour in society which triggers both UNICEF and the government to think of mitigating measures to address those challenges.
The representative of IMdev, Edith Finda Brima, told the stakeholders that UNICEF at 75 is a landmark anniversary that should have been observed worldwide to engage partners and nations but that it came at a challenging moment globally as a result of covid-19.
She said UNICEF as a UN agency for children has worked with several partners both international and national non-governmental organizations all in the spirit of caring and protecting children across the country, adding that, the cooperation between UNICEF and IMdev has been transformed into concrete achievement in building the media on child rights issues.
Edith Finda Brima further stated that they will continue to build a constructive partnership with UNICEF in ensuring that they are able to reach out to the vulnerable children that will bring positive change for the growth and development of the children. IMdev officer stated that the project will enable children to participate in issues that will emerge through photos and storytelling using traditional and mainstream media to send out their challenges to chat the way forward.
“75 % adolescent girls were given life skills on storytelling to master visual storytelling and element to create photos that arise the emotion for children’s rights,’’
She encouraged local authorities and government institutions to take the issues of children seriously especially in supporting them in education as they will serve as the future of the nation.
The Deputy Mayor of Kenema, Esther Ngunya Kaisamba commended UNICEF and IMdev for the initiative and that, the ministry of basic education should consider add creative ideas into the school curriculum that will help improve the talents of children, adding that, teachers should not only concentrate on the cognitive aspect in the classroom but also consider the affective and psychomotor of accessing the children. She assured UNICEF of their fullest support in the development of the children and encouraged the kids to take their education seriously.
The District Education Officer Kenema, Ernest Lahai referred to the programme as more assignment given to the ministry of education as it's clear that creativity should be part of the school curriculum having looked at the talents displayed by the children.
He recognized UNICEF as one of their strongest partners in promoting the free quality education and that the government will continue to be grateful for the support given to them.
Haja Alice Jeneba Koroma of the ministry of social welfare Kenema thanked UNICEF for the efforts to improve on the skills of children as the photos demonstrate that the children have a brighter future and called on the parents to go closer to their children so that they will be better in future.
Copyright © 2021 Politico Online 17/12/21
