Children have the right to express themselves and be participative in life

“We had no clubs or exchange spaces dedicated to children in Bababe. My friends and I had no choice but to meet in a friend’s house to discuss whatever subject of interest to us.” This is how the 16 years old girl, Khadjetou Hott described the sad reality of her peers in the Bababe district, in the Brakna region. In reality, children in Mauritania are often neglected when it comes to the decision making processes concerning their lives. Due to the lack of exchange spaces, of kids clubs and most of all, of guidance, children had no chance to participate fully in life and express their ideas. Moreover, most of them are not aware of their rights which increase their vulnerability and put them in harm’s way, without protection. “The fact is that we did not have a platform to sound our voice. Also, for cultural reasons, we are not supposed to explicitly express ourselves nor convey our aspirations to others,” continued Khadjettou.

To further promote for the well-being of children in Bababe, World Vision Mauritania launched the child Protection and Participation project in 2015 with the support of World Vision Germany. In collaboration with the Ministry of Social Affairs, of Childhood and Family, the project intervenes in the areas of Kaedi, Bababe and Aghorat. The primary objective is to give these children the capacity to be participative in their own lives and the ability to express their thoughts and aspirations within their communities, with guidance. In fact, kids clubs were established in the intervention areas to ensure guidance and training for these children on communication technics to make good use of their voices. The management of these clubs and the training is ensured by animators, who also provide constant monitoring for the children.  Various issues are the subject of discussion during their club sessions like early marriage, hygiene, children without birth certificates and others in relation with their well-being.

These clubs raise children’s awareness on their rights and duties. The project aims at giving them the courage to use their voice which leads to self-protection. Children have the right to be protected and be guided into action in order to be protected. “Thanks to the protection and participation project, we have a kids club where we can hold discussion sessions and exchange ideas. We are given guidance on how to express and communicate our thoughts in front of the community and the local authorities,” continues Khadjetou with a deep feeling of pride. “Different themes related to our well-being are brought up for discussion such as hygiene and early marriage. Sometimes, we even go from house to house to educate other children and their families on these issues and the community is more receptive than ever to our messages. Now, we feel more valued than ever and our ideas are heard. I personally feel better when I am with the other children in the club and it feels like an escape space for us.” Currently, Khadjettou is part of a local kids club called Bababe 2, in the district of Bababe.

Now, these children have the necessary tools to advocate to the competent authorities in order to solve their problems. They are also capable of taking individual or collective initiatives within their communities. “We had no interest in certain discussions before like early marriage, and I suppose that the lack of confidence and guidance kept us from fully expressing ourselves. The advent of this project changed all that. Now, we can see the mayor, the different human rights organizations and the local authorities to share our problems with them to find adequate solutions” said 19 years old, Amadou Thiam, the president of the kids club Bababe 2. “We organize educational activities in the presence of the whole community and the mayor to bring awareness on various themes. We have certainly learned many things with this project and gained the courage to be more expressive. The local community is more receptive than ever to our ideas and messages. Our gratitude goes to World Vision Mauritania who supported us through this project.” added Amadou.

World Vision Mauritania supports the clubs in their activities by ensuring them both technical and financial support. Since they have been framed on civic action and duty, these young children organize cleaning activities regularly in their neighborhoods, in addition to the many participation activities. In addition to the kids clubs, the project also supports them in establishing municipal councils to let their voices be heard at a higher level, an activity which has been done in both Kaedi and Bababe. 

Written by Ibrahima Diallo