Children

No matter what you say, or what you do, it all leaves a mark on the children around you. A child who witnesses violence and war, is forever scared by what they see. A child who hears nothing but negative, cannot erase the voice that says, “you can’t”. But the child who witnesses peace and love, will carry that with them forever and continue to share hope for the future.

We cannot erase the mistakes of the past, but we can leave a bigger impression on a child with hope, than with despair.

“When a woman is not educated, all the nation is in danger, because it is the woman who gives the basic education to the children.”-Arthur Omar Kayumba, 16, a member of DRC’s Children’s Parliament (Children’s Parliament’ Sets High Bar in Congo)

Children are giving out legal advise and harsh warnings to others, including adults, in the Democratic Republic’s Children’s Parliament. The Children’s Parliament is composed of 150 child members, all under the age of 17.  These children work on their own accord and seek little advice or supervision from adults. Established in 2002 with the support of UNICEF, and inaugurated in September 2003 with 36 members, and receiving international recognition for the promotion of children’s rights.

The work of the Children’s Parliament is no joke, and there rulings are no laughing matter, these children work hard and their hard work and dedication to both human rights and the development of their country has quickly surpassed many of their adult counterparts. This year alone they have heard over 150 cases, and while most are brought forward by children, they are seeing an increasing number of cases from adults, mostly women. While the rulings may not be legally binding, the support given to the community is undeniable. When rulings are not followed the Children’s Parliament will contact the Special Police.

Once can easily see that the Children of the DRC’s Children’s Parliament are not just tomorrows leaders, but the leaders of today. These children are the hope for the future of a nation ravished by over a decade of armed conflict and civil unrest, and the future looks brighter with minds like theirs at the helm.

“When I see such kinds of problems, it makes me think that in the future, I will become a man of revolution to fight against this mistreatment of children. All the world knows Congo is a big, rich country, and I would make it worthy of its name. I want to be president of the republic,” said 14 year old Eddy Musoke, the parliament’s adviser on protection for children (Children’s Parliament’ Sets High Bar in Congo).

The children the Congo, have faced struggle and hardship, on all sides of the the conflict The DRC is one of the poorest countries, even though it is one of richest in resources in the world. Child Alert published a report in 2006, illustrating the high price Congolese children where paying for war.  And while it is more than apparent that much needs to be done to bring peace and stability to the children of the Congo, many of the Congolese children themselves are not going to sit idly by and wait for the adults to give it to them.  Children inherit the sins of their fathers, so to speak, but the children of the DRC’s Child Parliament, refuse to make the same mistakes as their forefathers.  Their youthful wisdom and positive outlook for the future, is sure to benefit not only the children of the DRC, but children around the world.

Children’s Parliaments are Azerbaijan, which was introduced earlier this summer. Other countries with Children’s Parliaments include, India, Great Brittan, Jerusalem, Iran, Palestine, France, Iraq, and many others. The Children’s State has a full list of Children’s Parliaments and other relevant information.  Children, especially children of conflict, are often wise beyond their years, and we must not turn our heads away from them.  Children are the future leaders, and when allowed to grow and prosper they can teach us something about humanity, and give us hope for peace.

Xolani Nkosi Johnson, was born with HIV on on February 4, 1989, in South Africa, he was passed on the virus from his mother Nonthlanthla Daphne Nkosi. Many never gave Nkosi a chance to live, but this little boy was not just born with HIV, was born with a fighting spirit that few of us ever have. When the world was turned against him, he found a way to show the world that life is valuable, and no matter how short it is, we have much to give and learn.
In 1991, when Nkosi was only 2 he was placed in an overcrowded AIDS care center, after his mother was too sick to care for him. It was there that Gail Johnson, met Nkosi and his mother. The center where Nkosi was, was soon forced to close due to a lack of funding. Nkosi’s mother was by this time very sick, but also lived in fear of the stigma the virus would bring to her son, and the out lash that would come from her village, so she placed Nkosi in the loving care of Gail Johnson. It was with Gail Johnson that Nkosi found a second chance, and a second mom.

With the support and encouragement from “Mommy Gail”, Nkosi used his voice to tell the world about HIV/AIDS. Gail and Nkosi fought to have Nkosi in school, a battle that they not only won, but where also successful in bringing national attention the educational rights of children with HIV/AIDS. The case of Nkosi forced the Educational Department to establish a policy on the issue, and helped in the destigmatization of HIV/AIDS.

Nkosi continued to see his mother, and family, while with his foster mother, who fought tirelessly for all victims of HIV/AIDS. Nkosi’s mother died of AIDS on April , 1997 when he was 8, she spent the remainder of her life fighting for live and the strength of her son, who doctors told her would not live to be a year old.

In 1999 Gail and Nkosi Johnson founded Nkosi’s Haven’s, to help other mothers and children with HIV/AIDS live their lives in peace, without fear, so they would not have to suffer needlessly for societies ignorance and face the stigmas that Nkosi and his mother Daphne had to face.

“Our dream is to establish care centres for HIV/AIDS mothers and their children (infected or not) to ensure that they are able to live in an environment of acceptance and understanding. Here they will learn to care for themselves and their children and cope effectively with the new challenges that HIV/AIDS will present to them.”

Nkosi Johnson spoke at the 13th International AIDS Conference in Durban, South Africa, on January 9, 2001, his words moved and inspired the world:

“I want people to understand about Aids - to be careful and respect Aids - you can’t get Aids if you touch, hug, kiss, hold hands with someone who is infected. Care for us and accept us - we are all human beings. We are normal. We have hands. We have feet. We can walk, we can talk, we have needs just like everyone else - don’t be afraid of us - we are all the same!”

Nkosi lost his fight with AIDS on June 1, 2001 at the age of 13, he was the longest surviving child born with AIDS in South Africa, and in his short life he lived and loved, not like a child who was dying, but like he was living for all of us. Through the millions of lives he touched, he will continue to live on and touch millions more.

Let Nkosi be if anything for you, a reminder of the power and voice a child has.

Links:
Nkosi’s Haven
Nkosi Foundation
Bio on Nkosi

At only of five, Om Prakash Gurjar, was he was taken away from his parents and then held as a slave for the next three years. Om was forced to work in the fields, attend to cattle and even work with hazardous pesticides. Om was one of many victims of bonded labor in India, he was taken for his family to pay off the debt of his grandfather, who was unable to pay or work off the debt.

After years of suffering abuse, harsh living conditions and malnurishment, at the age of eight, Om was rescued, by workers from the charity Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA). a charity working to free children from child labor and give them a safe environment in which to receive an education.

Since being rescued Om has been campaigning for free education in Rajasthan, where he grew up, and has worked to help establish “child friendly villages”. The “child friendly villages” of Om’s dream are safe places where children’s rights are are ensured and child labor is a thing of the past. Om has also worked to see that children get birth certificates, a common right in the west, the lack of birth certificates is a door opener to exploitation.

On November 19, 2006, at 14 years old, Om received the International Children’s Peace Prize, which also comes with a $100,000 cash prize to be used on a children’s project. At the time of his award Om, had been reunited with his family, but as his family is still to poor to support him, he has continued to live in the home for rehabilitated child slaves.

Related Articles:

Om’s Children’s Peace Prize Bio

Victory at last: Child ’slave’ gets peace prize

On a Mission Against Bondage

International Recognition for 14 Year Old Boy’s Struggle Against Slavery

Indian Boy Wins World Peace Prize

“There is no trust more sacred than the one the world holds with children. There is no duty more important than ensuring that their rights are respected, that their welfare is protected, that their lives are free from fear and want and that they can grow up in peace.”
– Kofi Annan

The 2007 BRICK AWARDS honored Kimmie Weeks, this year for his outstanding efforts in making a global impact, mainly on issues of children and war. The Brick Awards honor young people under the age of 25, who have taken and made amazing strides to make a difference. Please do check out the other winners, as they all are young people to keep an eye on. With the future in their hands, I know we can all sleep a little better tonight.

Kimmie was born in Liberia on December 6, 1981, a normal childhood which was soon turned upside down by the Liberian civil in 1989. At the time the war broke out Kimmie was only nine years old. Kimmie and his failed now faced poverty, and so much more suffering during the war. After weeks of hunger Kimmie became extremely ill, and was even declared dead…he was almost buried alive. Luckily he was saved and recovered to full health ,but Kimmie’s story was not remarkable, for he was one of the lucky ones, first of all he was alive. However many children where not so lucky, and may others faced torture and abuse as child soldiers. After his brush with death and witnessing the atrocities of war, and the many acts of violence committed against other children, Kimmie knew he had to do something. At only 10 years old Kimmie began his mission to make the world a better place for children.

“all through the war, I saw children suffer worse then I. I watched children die, cut down by bullets or disease that in other parts of the world would be considered no longer a threat. I saw the growing number of young children barely in their teens who were becoming prostitutes. School for these any many others was a fantasy.”

Kimmie’s mission began with cleaning the streets of the fragments and trash that littered the streets following the war. Soon he would volunteer in hospitals and shelters, with the children, and once again he would have his eyes opened even more to the destruction of war.

“It was there that a child first died in my arms and I knew then and there what it felt like for a mother who lost her child.”

In a mere few years, Kimmie helped found the Voice of the Future Inc. (VOF), which was Liberia’s first child rights advocacy and humanitarian organization, and was completely run by young people like Kimmie.

Kimmie Weeks
Youth Action International
How Stuff Works Interview with Kimmie Weeks