Universal Children's Day: Hälsa International offers a « Family Meal » to children in street situations

---

Extract from the article: Dans son engagement pour la défense des droits des enfants et pour l’amélioration des conditions de vie des enfants en situation de rue, l’ONG Hälsa International, avec l’appui de l’UNICEF, a organisé, ce samedi 19 novembre 2022 à Lomé, la 6ème éd...

---

In its commitment to the defence of children's rights and the improvement of the living conditions of children in street situations, the NGO Hälsa International, with the support of UNICEF, organised the 6th edition of the "Family Meal" day on Saturday 19 November 2022 in Lomé. The objective is to raise awareness in the communities on the issue of street children, children who are victims of social exclusion and the promotion of positive parenting, around a meal in the company of children to promote living together as well as the importance of the family in the life of children and the balance of our society.  Present were the Director of Assistance to Children in Difficulty at the Ministry of Social Action, Bénédicte Gnansa, and UNICEF's Deputy Representative in Togo, Mohamed El Beduir.

In Togo, the situation of street children is alarming. Nearly 7,000 children live alone in Togo. They survive on the street as best they can with small jobs or thanks to the generosity of the population, without family support. It is in this context that Halsa International is organising the « Family Meal » in order to get closer to these children living on the streets.

« The majority of these children are victims of marginalisation and social exclusion. Some of them can't even remember their parents' faces. They no longer have the warmth of family that some of us are lucky enough to have at home. This is what we are creating here for these children so that they understand that we are in Africa and that when you lose your mum or dad, there is always the community », said Dodji Fiashinou, Executive Director of Hälsa International Togo.

According to Mohamed El Beduir, representing UNICEF at the celebration, International Children's Rights Day coincides with this year's Family Meal. « This day is an opportunity to draw attention to the different situations that children face, especially the discrimination faced by young girls in Togo and elsewhere, and the deprivation suffered by many children. It is also an opportunity to highlight the challenges in terms of schooling, access to basic health care, child protection and all forms of violence », he said.

For the Director of Assistance to Children in Difficulty and Social Action, Bénédicte Gnansa, representing the Minister in charge of Social Action, despite the efforts made by the government to promote children's rights in Togo, the growing situation of street children calls on everyone to change strategies and take new initiatives.

Other children's rights organisations, such as the Mouvement d'Action pour la Réinsertion des Enfants Marginalisés (MAREM) and the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) were also present.

To better celebrate the World Day for Children's Rights, UNICEF plans to carry out other activities, including activities for children in rehabilitation and children in conflict with the law at the Cacaveli centre and a football match.

Raymond Dzakpata