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Sri Lanka leader, a boy of 16, has set up a food stand, which is the only “fast food” on offer. He sells fried cassava and makes a small profit. He does not serve men who are drunk. The Children’s Society operation includes a discussion on values, which is significant given that Sri Lanka has one of the world’s highest suicide and alcoholism rates. This aspect could be strengthened through using a curriculum of areas the club could cover over a 12-month period, drawing upon a child rights programming framework; this would give opportunity for monitoring on the four clusters of child rights. Other useful programming areas may include life skill training; including developing children’s awareness of ways to protect themselves from domestic violence or recruitment into armed conflict. The Children’s Societies have held “unity camps” where children from three different clubs come together for a day of activity, food and sharing. These have been popular with the children who want to meet other children and discuss common issues. Traditional and religious stories that support the theme of unity are used. The Children’s Societies are represented through a federation, one activity of which is assisting children with access to education through scholarships. The societies are also to be involved in activities that assist in ADP work, such as writing up the annual child report folders for sponsored children. The children’s federation comments on economic strategies for the area and what community groups plan to do to increase economic activity. This includes discussions on cash crops, storage and production facilities, which increase options for children in the longer term. Other areas that children’s and youth societies may be supported in researching include the high rate of youth suicide and the effect of domestic violence on children. Youth participation in action: two thirds of Children’s Society members are girls. Photo: Laurence Gray Other useful models • Child-led research has assisted previously ignored issues to emerge. An example is access to medicines: children in one World Vision-assisted community conducted a survey on the supply of medicines to pharmacies where the supply was inadequate. This was then presented to local authorities and procedures were adopted to improve access to medicines. • Advocating to courts on children’s issues has led to change. One example was in Jaffna where greater awareness on child rights through Save the Children’s efforts led magistrates to find community-based alternatives to putting unaccompanied children in institutions. World Vision may have an opportunity to link with such a scheme through the National Child Protection Authority, which is targeting lawyers, the medical profession and the judiciary to be briefed on child rights. • Monitoring activities of the Government, such as issuing birth certificates, can give children a voice. Research in partnership with children has led Save the Children to dialogue with the Government and to a partnership with PLAN International. This focus has led to a government review of practice and changes to ease the process of obtaining birth certificates for children. 71
Sri Lanka Impact of the project Some impacts of children’s active participation in identifying and acting on issues related to child protection are shown in these two stories: The courage of children The Children’s Society of Pottuvil community challenged the brewing and selling of illegal liquor to the men of the village. The alcohol was dangerous as well as addictive and had poisoned many drinkers. Some alcoholics were as young as 11. Public feeling on the problems alcohol was causing in the community was high, but many feared the vendors. “Children told the sellers how their fathers behave after consuming alcohol and pleaded with them to stop, asking them to sell things which improved people’s lives instead of ruining them,” said Thangeswari, aged 12. A survey by the children showed that a total of 16 people, mainly women, sold illicit liquor in the area. The work of children to free their parents from alcoholism had a ripple effect, and in February 2002 a mass rally involving an estimated 10,000 people met on the theme of alcoholism. The rally gained extensive media coverage as it travelled over 90 kilometres through many villages and involved children, adults, NGOs and government officials. As a result of the rally, after an absence of 20 years the government department of Excise became involved in the area to catch illegal sellers. The child organisers have shared their experience at a national children’s forum. World Vision supported these children in their efforts to form coalitions, promote public awareness and change. This has been a huge boost for child protection measures locally. “Sincerity and innocence will in the end triumph.” – traditional saying As a result of children’s activism, community members march against the sale and consumption of illegal alcohol. Photo provided by World Vision Sri Lanka 72
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Risk Laurence Gray
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Copyright © 2003 by World Vision I
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contents Useful approaches to build
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executive summary responsibility of
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executive summary The Philippines I
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introduction “How is it possible
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introduction Child as a normative f
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introduction • offer opportunity
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introduction information may emerge
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introduction Current challenges of
Page 21 and 22: introduction Planning long-term for
Page 23 and 24: introduction Because we are abandon
Page 25 and 26: Cambodia or a medical emergency. Ho
Page 27 and 28: Cambodia This drawing by a child sc
Page 29 and 30: Cambodia near the garbage dump have
Page 31 and 32: Cambodia The Mith Samlanh/Friends v
Page 33 and 34: Cambodia Mith Samlanh/Friends vocat
Page 35 and 36: Cambodia To further understand how
Page 37 and 38: Cambodia Responses were gained thro
Page 39 and 40: Cambodia LICADHO uses a variety of
Page 41 and 42: Cambodia Families are taught to dis
Page 43 and 44: Cambodia The Law Enforcement Agains
Page 45 and 46: Cambodia 3. The project was based o
Page 47 and 48: Indonesia • The BPS also estimate
Page 49 and 50: Indonesia For Children’s Day in J
Page 51 and 52: Indonesia Useful approaches to buil
Page 53 and 54: Indonesia Child protection concerns
Page 55 and 56: Indonesia Children in the IDP camp,
Page 57 and 58: Indonesia building strategies can b
Page 59 and 60: The Philippines • children who ar
Page 61 and 62: The Philippines • conducting a ra
Page 63 and 64: The Philippines increase opportunit
Page 65 and 66: The Philippines Barriers to child p
Page 67 and 68: Sri Lanka Children affected by conf
Page 69 and 70: Sri Lanka Partnership for education
Page 71: Sri Lanka Children’s play showing
Page 75 and 76: Sri Lanka “I spoke to a group of
Page 77 and 78: Vietnam Background Community-based
Page 79 and 80: Vietnam • At the community level,
Page 81 and 82: Vietnam “States Parties recognise
Page 83 and 84: Vietnam “Talk is cheap. Action is
Page 85 and 86: conclusion Agencies within civil so
Page 87 and 88: ecommendations universities. Advoca
Page 89 and 90: ecommendations • Emerging issues,
Page 91 and 92: acknowledgements Many individuals a
Page 93 and 94: ibliography Amnesty International,
Page 95 and 96: appendix 1 Online toolkit The follo
Page 97: appendix 3 Some principles of World
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