Commemorating the International Day of the African Child in 2023

Written by: Susan Kone

International Day of the African Child was held on June 16, 2023 to honor the memories of students who were massacred in Soweto, South Africa in 1976 for protesting against injustice and inequality in the apartheid regime. The day was first initiated in 1991 by the Organization of African Unity (now the African Union) in 1991.  

WFWP Kenya organized a program to commemorate the day at the Lampros Educational Center in Kayole, Nairobi, Kenya. There were 300 children in attendance, together with their teachers and main staff. Other participants were leaders from various NGOs and community based organizations (CBOs) from around that area. 

The goal of visiting the school is for outreach in order to introduce the vision and mission of WFWP and also introduce the peace philosophy of its co-founders. Also, the program created a forum for commemoration of the International Day of the African Child where the children were made aware of their rights. It was also a good occasion to teach the children good ethics, which they all appreciated. The children had prepared songs, poems and dances to mark the day. 

After the speeches, the guests and directors of the school received the autobiography of WFWP’s co-founder, Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon, which was presented by the President of WFWP Kenya, Dr. Susan Kone, who also introduced various empowerment programs that the NGO holds on the grassroots level.

The children received gift items of snacks and drinks from the WFWP Kenya members and in his speech, the director of the school, Mr. Marube expressed his gratitude for WFWP’s visit to the school and for the gifts. The program ended with a joyous and hopeful energy. 

Family values education programs for the teachers and staff were discussed as a follow up, as well as a plan to teach good ethics and opening of a martial arts club in the school for the students. A courtesy call meeting was scheduled later in the month.