I believe that one of the most important parts of our role in
Arise is being an advocate for the children that we support. Many of these
children don’t have an adult who can or will speak up for them. They might live
with a widowed parent, an aunt or a grandparent, but often that person doesn’t have
the knowledge, skills or capacity to speak up or take action on behalf of the
child. I can think of two recent examples of how we have tried to do this
within both education and healthcare.
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As there is no secondary school in Kaniki, the local government primary
school, which usually goes up to Grade 7 (equivalent to Year 6 in the UK), has
been allowed to go up to Grade 9. If children meet a certain standard in the Grade
9 exams and have the means to do so, they can go on to continue their schooling
at a secondary school in town. We encourage children in Arise who are starting
secondary school to find a friend or relative that they can stay with in town,
because it is cheaper than daily transport from Kaniki. Although we also rent a
couple of rooms in town where some boys stay if they don’t have their own
accommodation. It isn’t safe for girls to stay on their own.
Three boys supported by Arise who recently passed Grade 9 were offered
places at a school which is located on the opposite side of town to their accommodation.
They approached two nearer schools about a transfer but were refused, so they
were unsure what to do. I imagine that most parents in the UK in this situation
would arrange an appointment with the head teacher and argue their case for a
place. That isn’t always possible here in Zambia. The boys are all from vulnerable
families. For example, one of them is the eldest of three sons living with their widowed mother who has been ill and bed-bound for years. I would consider her to be
suffering perhaps more than any person I know. Despite this, her sons are a real credit
to her – they are polite, bright and hard working, and so I believe that her son
deserves to be able to continue his education.
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| The eldest son who definitely deserves a chance to continue his education |
In Zambia, people don’t seem to get anywhere by arguing or standing up
for what they believe is right. Some people in authority are solely focused on
power. There is a lot of bribery and corruption which is interwoven in the
culture. It seems that a more effective approach to tackling these types of
issues involves being humble, showing you are willing to listen and demonstrating
that you are grateful for help.
I went with one of our Zambian volunteers to meet with the head teacher
of the school that the boys wanted to attend. On the way, we prayed for God’s help
and favour on our conversation. At first the head teacher said all their
places were full but then suddenly said “I will do you a favour” and told us that
they would offer all three boys a place at their school! Because nothing is
simple and straightforward here, it took three trips to the Ministry of Education
and another trip to the school before the boys were given written offers. They were all
delighted.
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| Two of the secondary schools in Ndola |
Another recent example is when Rosie took two brothers to
the local clinic who are supported by Arise and have umbilical hernias. Aged 8
and 11, they have had the hernias since birth but their sick father and
alcoholic mother had never taken them to for treatment. The clinic gave them a
referral to the children’s hospital, and despite a ridiculous appointment
system Rosie managed to make sure that they were seen by two clinical officers.
Unfortunately the officers were rude and unhelpful, making it very difficult to
find out any information. Rosie asked them questions about the procedure so that
she would be able to prepare the boys for what was in store, but the officers said
she didn’t need to know! Their behaviour was very unprofessional and they even asked
her for talk time (phone credit) as a bribe. Without agreeing to the bribe,
Rosie left the hospital not knowing whether the boys would be given a date for
surgery or not.
Fortunately, the boys were later given a date for their operations and
the younger brother had his last week. I went to visit him at the hospital the
following day. There was a very poor standard of healthcare and it was not
somewhere I would want to take a child. I was told the boy had been discharged
even though he was actually lying on a bed in a lot of pain. He had only been given
half a paracetamol tablet all day. I felt like I was making a fuss when I spoke
to the nurse. However, she eventually agreed to give him stronger painkillers and keep him in hospital another night. There must be so many similar
situations that take place because nobody speaks up for the child who is
suffering.
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In the Bible it says “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves…defend the rights of
the poor and needy” (Proverbs 31:8-9). I like the way that former teacher Rita
Pierson explains it in a TED Talk: (https://www.ted.com/talks/rita_pierson_every_kid_needs_a_champion?language=en)
- “Every child deserves a champion – an
adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power or connection
and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be”.
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| Every child deserves a champion |
