Protecting children together with the community

Child protection* is a sensitive topic and it can be difficult to talk about. I believe we need a set of good practices to inspire each other.

Let me add to this list of good examples, by sharing the practice of an organisation working effectively with local leaders, schools and families to ensure child protection in the villages where they operate in a sustainable way.

KidsCare offers home-based care programmes in Kenya that focus on structural care for children’s development in their homes. Specifically for families caring for orphans, children with special needs and children with mental and/or physical disabilities.

Preventing abuse

Their commitment doesn’t stop there. In the villages where KidsCare works, they signal child abuse, they counsel children and families and they introduce preventive measures to prevent abuse. An ambition they want to realise together with 24 village committees and with partners from the government and other organisations.

Successful village committees

In this, they are very successful. Within the 24 village committees (Community Child Protection Committees) that are officially registered, over 200 members are active.

The groups are very diverse and consist of different members from the villages: health workers, chiefs, religious leaders, parents, school directors, preschool teachers and bodaboda drivers. These members have been trained by KidsCare social workers so that they are well equipped to carry out their child protection activities in the communities.

The committees work together on prevention by organising awareness sessions in schools and villages to reach as many children and adults as possible. In addition, these committees identify cases of abuse or violence and these cases are referred for intervention.

So far, 74 cases of child maltreatment or abuse have already been referred and 375 awareness sessions were organised. Children report that they are better cared for at home, the number of children who always attend school has improved, and there is less bullying and violence at school.

‘Really impressive’

Rose Ambuso advises the following to other organisations working with children:

‘Leveraging the inherent power within communities by engaging diverse, well-equipped local stakeholders like the CCPCs and fostering partnerships with government and other NGO partners empowers communities to effectively protect children, amplifying their voice, ownership, and creating a sustained impact on child protection efforts. I would proudly advise any organization to apply this approach. It is impressive!’

This example shows us that it can be done. By activating the community, you can not only identify cases of abuse, but more importantly, work on prevention so that fewer and fewer children experience violence in their lives.

Share great examples!

Let’s share these great examples to voice a positive sound. It is possible to do something and make a difference. Do you know/are you an organisation that protects children’s rights? I would love to include your example in a future blog or on our website for inspiration for other organisations. Contact: marit@wildeganzen.nl.

*Child protection policy is the generic term we use, but for vulnerable target groups such as, for example, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities or, in some contexts, women, it is also essential to establish a protection policy. The broader term used for this is ‘safeguarding’.