Consider The Children

It is sad in a modern world that these sorts of things are in existance , only this week  Barrack  Obama  created history  and made his african people proud  as he was elected and sworn in as the first  black  president of the USA .

Now the sad part is that  the African  Government  spent  hundreds of thousands of dollars just to have representatives attend  Barrack Obama’s  celebrations ,  while back in Africa there are children dying  and families trying to survive on an average of $1-00 per day.  It just does not add up and I am in no way pointing the finger at  Barrack  Obama as I am one to support him.  Congratulations for the world I say, as his election has given hope to so many around the world for his achievement.

Well this week & next I want to share with you all some information that I have come accross that quite honestly needs to be pointed out to the world why we need to  CONSIDER  THE  CHILDREN .

Girl child education remains elusive

A combination of poverty, disease and backward cultural practices continue to deny the girl child her right to education. However, the government and the civil society are at the forefront of making her realise her dreams.
Esther Mwangi

Even with the introduction of free primary education, access to it education is still remains a pipe dream to many Kenyan children. Whereas the introduction of free primary education last year saw an increase in the enrolment, a sizeable number of children, especially girls still find themselves out of school owing to a number of reasons.

James Mwangi, an inspector of primary schools revealed that most girls enter school at a late age because of the demand for their labour in their homes such as assisting in looking after their young siblings.

Mary Gathoni, 15, had this experience: “I had this rare chance of going back to school when education was made free. However, my dreams were cut short when my parents decided to marry me off to their creditor without my consent. When I tried to resist, they threatened me with death”, she says amid sobs.

In similar circumstances, a 16-year-old girl from the central Kiambu district, who preferred anonymity was married off as soon as she was circumcised at the age of 13, thereby shattering her academic dreams.

Said she: “I thought of becoming a doctor but my dreams were shattered when my father, a Maasai decided to marry me off so that she could get dowry to add to his riches. At the age of 14, I gave birth and almost died in the process”, she recalled bitterly. The girl, now expecting her second child, did not escape from poverty and her parents have nothing to show for the dowry they received.

Some parents justify the denial of girls of their right to education to prevent them from bringing shame to the family through early pregnancy. Yet others believe that women who are at the same level of education as the men are a disgrace to the community because more often than not, they will not get married and if they do, it will be to a foreigner. For such parents, early marriage is the best way to prevent this and at the same time preserve traditions.

We  are still in the process  of establishing the complete  “CONSIDER  THE  CHILDREN” organisation  and will keep you all up to date as  to the developments and information as it becomes available to us.  We would however at this stage appreciate your help by making others aware of our existance and spreading the word.  Thank you all so much for visiting and we will continue next week.

Hey………..life is good………  Try some to-day

Allen  Sentance
FISHERMAN

~ by fisherman on January 23, 2009. Tagged: Africa, children, creditor, Education, girls, Obama, parents, payments, traded