ADOLESCENTS GROW UP HEALTHY, UPGRADING THEIR SOCIAL NORMS AND ADVOCATING FOR CHILD RIGHTS THE EXPERIENCE OF TIKONDANE CARE FOR CHILDREN ON/OFF THE STREETS by Sr Mwamba Malunga Florence, MSOLA by Sr Mwamba Malunga Florence, MSOLA Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe 2015

“Boys and girls in partnership for Child protection

Started in 1997 Initiated by the Missionary sisters of our Lady of Africa in collaboration with the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe Work with children, their families and government child protection structures to enhance child protection in their natural environment

 Deprived of love, care and social protection  Survival behavior perceived as antisocial – deviance  Delinquency etc……  Need to upgrade social norms for successful re-integration in the community and school system

TIKONDANE Bi-annual Special Education events developed since 2013 Target boys and girls off the streets aged between 9- 17years old and some of them are placed in boarding schools Adolescents learn mostly through their peers, who may influence them negatively or positively. Therefore peers who have been in similar situations and have learnt positive social norms can be highly influential in motivating others for better goals in life.

Children & Adolescents Involved in the Implementation of the Organization CPP. Boys and girls trained in Child protection, through various child initiatives in the project, with the aim of empowering them to protect themselves and others. Boys and girl, becomes then partners with the social workers in promoting child protection. They are no longer passive recipients but activist in reporting, advising, advocating and taking pre- caution in self protection and protection of others.

Main objectives To provide young people with an environment that help them to enhance their social skills, learn and practice leadership, create norms and regulations for small community living group. Peer guidance, mentoring and motivation Learn and create ways of advocacy- engage the community through art. Space for counselling and personal guidance for the young people who need it. Deepen the understanding of Child protection TIKONDANE Bi-annual Special Education events

Capacity BuildingEmpowerment Outcome “Train the trainers” sessions for peer motivators Peer motivators act as role models, accompany, support and motivates their peers by being role models Training in leadership and community living; small peer groups choose their own leaders and set goals and for community leaving Motivated children and adolescents learn how to take responsibility, feel trusted and grow in self esteem. They lead and actively participate in small living community following their set norms and patterning required behavior. Demonstration of mutual support and encouragement.

Capacity Building on Child ProtectionEmpowerment outcome Children- adolescents trained in social protection, learn to advocate for child rights Children /adolescents have become aware on how to protect themselves and others. Round table discussion with children, parents and community members. Open days organized in collaboration with children, they actively patriciate in debates. Children/adolescents perform drama(s) and dances to raise community awareness of child care and protection.

Peers are significant persons who influence adolescences, therefore investing in helping adolescents to develop positive influence on their peer is a very effective approach in the rehabilitation of Children and young people at risk. Unconditional positive regard, encouragement, trust. Loving Kindness, and acceptance used in our social work and education strategies motivate children /adolescents who have given up on themselves to be involved in rebuilding their lives and live healthier. In order to see adolescents and children at risk break through from their painful experiences in rebuilding their lives, we need to consider them as partners in the action and not just mere “ recipients”

Boys and girls off the streets become mentors of other young people with a greater sense of direction and self- confidence. Motivated by them, younger teens set their own positive goals, show a greater sense of responsibility, learn protection issues, and are empowered to report abuses to the authorities. Result & Conclusion

re  A good number of community members changed their attitudes through listening to children talking from their own experience and advocating for love, care and protection for all children. Result & Conclusion  Adolescents have stronger confidence in social workers, who learn to consider them as partners in promoting love, care and protection

Round Table Discussion