The All-Africa Conference of Churches organized a radio discussion about the future of the African Child, organized by my roommate Will. I found the discussion to be quite informative and heart-wrenching at times, as the participants were very honest about the future, or rather plight, of the African Child.
From what I heard, one-third of African children are malnourished, and almost that many are subject to child labor. Nearly half of the world’s child-soldiers call Africa their home. At least 200,000 children are trafficked yearly through Africa.
The participants, who included a UNICEF program coordinator, a renowned Kenyan psychiatrist, a social worker and the AACC’s General Secretary, touched upon these issues and others. They discussed the ranges of child abuse, from paddling in school to sexual abuse in and out of the home, and ways society and the church can address these issues.
Some outcomes: Awareness is an essential step towards Action, and yet it is only the beginning step. It takes a community response to a community problem. If we don’t speak for the children, who will?
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