My Rights My Future Event

On October 27^th, 2014, Cheerful Hearts Foundation (CHF) celebrated the completion their “My Rights, My Future” project. This five month project based in Nyanyano was aimed at promoting the importance of child education as well as informing the community about the dangers of child labour and trafficking.

The “My Rights, My Future” project trained 20 community volunteers living in the fishing village of Nyanyano. These volunteers pledged to commit at least 9 hours a week going through their community talking about the benefits of education and how it can affect their children’s futures. They share their experiences as well as their training to help create a positive view and appreciation for childhood education. They also let families know what happens when child are working instead of attending school. Many families do not see the danger that the children face when working at the shore or in Yeji and the community volunteers were always available to answer questions that parents had as well as let them know why it is harming their child’s future success.

The gathering was a huge success with over 500 people in attendance. Along with over 300 local school children all supporting their schools with pride the guest list also included many important local community leaders. The event began with a African drum and dance crew. After the dancing there were several speeches from Mr. Justice Nii Kpakpo Abrahams and Mr. George Arthur as well as the Chief Fisherman, a former Assembly Man, and a Social Welfare representative. Each speaker discussed the power of education and the impact that it can make in the community and a child’s life. It was nice to see such a great turn out from the community leaders. The community volunteers, all wearing their white project hats, were lauded and praised, creating a positive emotion associated with volunteerism. Half of the volunteers were school children themselves and took pride in the event. 

After speeches, there was a student play about the importance of education. In the play the protagonist, did not receive her school fee and was not able to attend school. She ended up pregnant (with a very unhappy mother) and her brother ended up stealing (only to be arrested by the police). Obviously very dire consequences for a lack of education. Several girls also gave very heartfelt speeches, one of which was addressed to the parents who were not sending their children to school, but most were centered on how thankful they were to be in school and how important an education is to their future.

  

It was a wonderful event and it was great to see the support that the community gives to the Cheerful Heart’s project and to their children’s education. The success of the outreach program is currently being evaluated (I am working to compile data from our school and community interviews which we have done over 300 so far), but the impact on the individuals in attendance was visible and powerful.

I have been lacking on the blog posts, partly being busy and partly due to a full week without internet (or power for that matter). More post are coming.