June 16 marks the day of celebration
for the African Child. It honours the Soweto uprising that took
place in South Africa in 1976, where thousands of Black school
children took a stand to protest against the poor standards of
education they were receiving. The students mission was to gain the right to a
racism free education during the Apartheid era---this, sadly,
resulted in the loss of many innocent lives. However, it also led to contributing to reform and liberation.
This day raises awareness to the
continuing need for importance in the education provided to African
Children. They HAVE the right to education, as well as many other
basic needs such as food, shelter, security, and good health. In
many parts of Africa, AIDS orphans are left on the street because no
one in the family can look after them, young boys are forced into
crime to get money for food—being deprived of that basic right to
nourishment.
What does it feel like being an African
Child? We can only imagine! Being born into poverty, which is
reality for many, reduces chances of survival, good health, and
education. Again, it continually puts these kids at risk for abuse,
exploitation, and violence, and they know it! Yet on Friday, the
kids in our schools, and all over Africa, will commemorate it with
song and dance, with poems and speeches, with pride and dedication to
making a better world for themselves. Today we have the opportunity
to move a step closer to giving children the true humanity they
deserve. Remember that the Child means the family, the child means the
future, the child means the community! It is the child that holds
tomorrow!
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