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Non-governmental organization, Ese Usamali Foundation For Rural Development (EUFORDe), in collaboration with Forum For Citizens Empowerment and Community Development (FCEMCODE) and Civil Society Action Coalition On Education For All (CSACEFA), has organized a Talent Hunt for out-of-school, indigent and vulnerable children in communities.
According to Mercy Elemchukwu-James, executive director of Ese Usamali Foundation for Rural Development (EUFORDe), the event, which took place from June 10th to 16th, is the second edition, and was held to commemorate the International Day of the African Child 2024, with theme: Year of Education.
“The theme for the Talent Hunt, ‘The Need For Education And Barriers To Child Education,’ had children share their challenges and experiences as minors; they had the opportunity to speak on issues relating to insecurity and climate crises, as major challenges that disrupt child education. Issues of child kidnap, child trafficking, GBV against the girl-child and boy-child were also highlighted,” Elemchukwu-James said.
Participants were drawn from communities, with seven outstanding contestants selected to compete at the finals which held on Saturday June 15th at Savannah Estates in Port Harcourt. 16 years old Miracle, a female, emerged winner and crowned with The African Child Award, 2024.
One of the children, simply referred to as Keke, lamented that “Because we are poor, orphans and helpless, people see us as beggars, and that we depend on support from people to survive.”
Part of the recommendations reached during the programme were that, “1. Our environment should be a safe place to enable children assess education,” and “2. The Girl-Child should not be neglected and relegated to the kitchen, she has potentials and has a lot to contribute to societal developmental growth.”
