KENYA: Franciscans to Celebrate Day of the African Child with Former Street Children

NAIROBI, JUNE 12, 2020 (CISA)-The Office of Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation Franciscans Africa (JPICFA) and Mother Earth network in collaboration with the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) and the Interfaith Public Health Network have organized a June 15-16 celebration of the day of the African Child.

According to Steeven Kezamutima JPICFA Program Manager the event to be held in Nairobi is “an opportunity to connect the dots of Laudato Si especially the Cry of the Poor -Blacks Lives Matters, Children’s rights, Covid-19 and Climate Justice.”

“This event appears in due time where the whole world has stood up for justice and equal rights for white and black people. Africa is not any more a separated continent from Europe and the US reminding us to the times of slavery. Let us consider that we are all united people speaking with one voice enjoying justice for all,” he said in a June 11 mail to CISA.

He noted that the event to be held under the theme “Conflict and Crisis in Africa: Protecting all Children’s Rights” aims at celebrating the Day of African Child by calling the attention of the social justice movement to look upon children in a particular way.

He added that a part from Blacks Lives Matters, this theme is relevant to the critical crisis of Covid-19, Climate Change and Locusts which have ravaged the Eastern African Region.

“Due to this situation, there is a need to empower our young generation to promote justice to people of our planet especially for a better life of the next generation,” he said.

The Franciscans have appealed for contributions in form of food stuff that shall be distributed to former street children at Global Hope and Rescue Centre in Ngong and Mary Immaculate Children’s Home in South B.

They also invited all Franciscans to attend a climate Strike online event and a Global webinar on June 15 at 9.00-1.00 pm Nairobi time which will involve visiting two children’s homes and  distributing to them food stuff and a Global Climate Strike online Twitter: On Children live Matters.

The tweeting will use the photos that will be taken with messages from children. On June 16 from 4.00-6.00 Nairobi time there will be a Global Webinar to celebrate the African Child Day by connecting with the current situation of Black Live Matters, Covid-19 and climate change.

The function will bring on board stakeholders from Africa, US and other continents.