Children in Kamuli district have made an impassioned plea to their parents, demanding not just material provisions but also valuable quality time, crucial school requirements to help them stay in school, and active participation in decisions affecting their lives.
The powerful call was made during the Music, Dance, and Drama (MDD) competitions held today at Butende Primary School, an event organized by Africa Water Solutions (AWS).
In their moving presentations, the children articulated a clear message to their guardians: “We love our parents and value school as holding the keys to our future, but we also ask you to give us valuable and quality time.” Their compelling messages further urged parents to “end teenage pregnancies, child marriage, and keep children in school,” highlighting critical issues plaguing their communities.
Hillary Wafula, Project Coordinator for Africa Water Solutions (AWS), echoed the children’s concerns, expressing alarm over the “high rate of school drop-outs and parenting neglect” prevalent in the area. Wafula urged parents to heed the children’s heartfelt messages, emphasizing the need for providing basic requirements, maintaining close supervision, and fostering closer ties to facilitate open discussions on sensitive topics like sexual and reproductive health rights.
He particularly stressed the critical need for “parental interventions and interventions on violence against children, menstrual hygiene management which negatively impact on attendance and school completion.”
Reinforcing the importance of systemic support, Moses Woira Mitala, the Kamuli Assistant Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), called for the rigorous enforcement of the National Child Policy. He highlighted that the policy “demonstrates government’s commitment to ensure the wellbeing of children’s health, survival, protection, participation and above all education for all.”
Mitala advocated for improved realization and enjoyment of children’s rights, development of their full potentials, and enhancing family-centered practices and capacities to care, nurture, and protect children’s safety, including vital school feeding programs.
“We need system strengthening for families to reduce social exclusion, lower risk of separation, domestic violence and exploitation, but above parents as their sole responsibility should feed children at school,” Mitala firmly stated, urging parents not to shy away from this critical duty.
Earlier, Joab Kyalo, the headteacher of Butende Primary School, shared a compelling success story. He reported a significant increase in enrollment and retention – from 456 to 758 pupils – attributing it to the impactful interventions by Africa Water Solutions. Kyalo credited AWS’s efforts in “menstrual hygiene management, counseling, and community outreaches that rallied parents to support the education of their children.”
He concluded with a specific appeal, calling on all stakeholders: “Let us budget for the girl child special requirements and boost the school feeding program for better results.”
The event served as a poignant reminder of the multifaceted challenges faced by children in Kamuli, and a collective call to action for parents, communities, and government to ensure their holistic development and a brighter future.
