Stimulating children, - keeping them off the streets

You who have followed my blog, ... regularly or once off ... you have noticed my silence for a lo-o-o-ong time.  I am back on air, and intend of keep it up with a certain regularity.

Now I am fortunate to have been joined by Birgit, my wife.  Being a fresh retiree she is trying to adjust to a new situation.  She enjoys to join me on field trips, and some days ago we jointly went to the inauguration of Chitawawa community based children's centre.  Chitawawa is some distance outside Lilongwe, but not further away than Lilongwe attracts a number of children from this community.  They end up on the streets, begging for a living, or committing petty-crime to survive.  Chisomo Children's Club is an organization that is committed to work with street children, including efforts to prevent children to end up in the streets.  One of the measures is to work through community based children's centres.  The centres are multi-purpose buildings that can be used for kindergarten, pre-school, awareness building for parents, and some times mother - child health checks.

NCA is supporting Chisomo Children's Club, and I was invited to participate in the inauguration of  the Chitawawa centre.  As you will see, the building is decorated with lively and educational illustrations.








Playground toys are part of the centre,

and Lego toys and other toys are available.

More importantly, about 15 caretakers have been trained to activate and support the children who attend the centre.  More than 300 children are regular visitors, and therefore the centre is more than an empty building.  It is a busy place for constructive caring and teaching of children.

The official inauguration was made by the Minister of Children, Disability and Gender, and she cut the ribbon.  As you will see, I was asked to assist the Minister.

As is the tradition, such event included speeches, including speeches by the Minister and myself, cultural show, singing and dancing.

An interesting contribution was the band you see below.  The instruments were entirely home-made, but I can tell you that there was no problem with the sound and rhythms coming out of their band!

The community elders praised the new facility, and claimed that this could be a defining event for the children of this area.  Let us hope they are right!