Highlights of 2018 for Action Enfants de Tous, Mali
Action Enfants de Tous (AET) is a support program dedicated to street children. It was set up by Caritas Mali, diocese of Ségou, and is supported by a consortium of partners led by Apprentis d'Auteuil. AET’s "Hòrònya denw" project: promoting, respecting and enforcing the rights of children in street situation in Mali which began in January 2018, aims at tackling the phenomenon of street children in the city of Ségou, Mali. To achieve this goal, the programme is actively committed to the protection of all street children, regardless of race, ethnicity or religion. This programme also conducts mediations between children and their families, or their guardians, in order to enhance their return home. Furthermore, the AET also intends to strengthen the skills of local child protection actors, and to work with communities and political and administrative authorities to prevent the phenomenon in Ségou.
In terms of achievements, 2018 was a successful year for the AET. Throughout the year, three radio programmes were produced as part of awareness-raising events in different districts of Ségou. In addition, several hundred day-time and night-time street patrols were conducted which resulted in the assistance of 1,095 children newly confronted to the street, some of whom were welcomed into AET’s centers (support centres and shelter). Moreover, by the end of the year, 150 children have had the opportunity to continue their schooling thanks to the support of the AET and the distribution of 65 school kits to those most in need. Additionally, amongst the 79 family mediations conducted by the AET, more than half resulted in the child returning to his or her family instead of the street.
2018 was also characterized by the summer camp organized by the AET, which enabled 36 young residents of AET’s shelter to travel to Burkina Faso for an unforgettable experience. Between July 3 and July 9, a group of young boys and girls, aged seven to twenty stayed in Bobo-Dioulasso, located 350 km southwest of Ouagadougou. The camp was organized around different activities, including visits of tourist attraction, a theatrical evening, musical activities, as well as football matches and picnics. Overall, this summer camp allowed the participants to explore new horizons, socialize and rediscover joy.
Moreover, on the occasion of the Universal Children’s Day celebration, the AET organized a public event in the rural municipality of Sébougou, located west of the city of Ségou. This event, dedicated to children and respect for their rights, was an opportunity to engage in advocacy work, as well as to raise public awareness on the most pressing issues. Amongst other things, AET shelter’s residents were able to express themselves through skits and dances. In turn, the educators also took advantage of the public setting of the event, to share with the local population the main points of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, thus triggering opportunities for debate and, consequently, clarification on the Convention.
Finally, as part of the first session of the project's steering committee, 3 staff members of Apprentis d'Auteuil and other members of the consortium met in Ségou in September, to discuss several issues related to the project and to monitor its development. Once on the field, Apprentis d'Auteuil’s staff members had the opportunity to visit AET’s support centres and its shelter. They also discovered the land lot that should soon house the new children shelter and the offices of many AET’s staff members.