Children expressed themselves in dance, music, spoken word and dramatisations yesterday at the ChildLink Children’s Day event held at the West Ruimveldt Primary School, as they expressed their feelings about child abuse and the rights of children, grasping the attention of every adult in the auditorium, pleading for support and safety from those who are meant to protect them.
Standing as an ambassador for children, Lennox Hopkinson, 11, fervently said, “If you love us why do you abuse us? If you love us why do you keep us out of school?”
He further stated that every child has the right to be protected and that “when there is no child abuse it means that children are listened to.” He also implored for parents to assist children in their school assessments and the government to ensure that children are protected.
A representative of the European Union stated that child abuse is one of major priorities today. He said that the EU has being creating programmes to combat and prevent sexual abuse of children and is also involved in promoting the Rights of a Child. Speaking to the children present at the ChildLink Children’s Day he urged them “to protect themselves from exploitation.”
Education Officer of the Ministry of Education, Shirley Madray stated that “children should be taught the difference between the good and bad touch.”
ChildLink is a project funded by the European Union to ensure that children are protected from abuse and to support the Government to provide the finest environment for children to develop their fullest potential. ChildLink hopes to create a society where every child is safe and secure in their homesand their community.
