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NOTES 1-3 all refer to the widespread use of Child-to-Child clubs and committees in Schools which, though assisted by international agencies and NGOs, have the full support of the Mozambique government.
Note 1
UNICEF and the formation of Child-to-Child clubs in schools: (with water and sanitation as their primary focus)
Child-to-Child clubs in schools are supported by UNICEF and found to be extremely effective in spreading messages and changing approaches. They appear to concentrate largely on spreading messages and, as schools operate a shift system, these activities take place outside lesson time (when other shifts are being taught). They are in widespread operation. In 2004 18,000 children were involved and numbers are growing. Activities are graphically described in the latest UNICEF reports:
"The benefits of Child-to-Child sanitation clubs combined with latrine construction and hand-washing facilities have exceeded all expectations."
These clubs promoted hygiene practices and healthy school environments. The young people pushed for central refuse collection spots so that they no longer had to share their play spaces with garbage. Through theatre, song, dance and games, the children warned of the dangers of unhygienic environments, especially for children. They emphasized how proper disposal of syringes and other medical material would help prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS.” Date: 2004
Source: Extract from a longer report available from unicef website
Contact: Maputo@Unicef.org
(Antero Pina is the current Water and Sanitation Officer)
Note 2
UNICEF and Save the Children
Child-to-Child clubs and their role in promoting better nutrition
The Ministry of Education in Mozambique is launching a national SHN (School Health and Nutrition) program in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, UNICEF, the World Food Program, WHO, Family Health International, Helen Keller International and Save the Children, and is supporting SHN activities through its ‘Direct Support to Schools Program’. Save the Children is considered a key NGO partner in this national program because of its experience in implementing SHN activities in the Gaza province. Save the Children’s SHN activities this year have included: installing safe drinking water in schools and training pump maintenance groups; training teachers to manage First Aid Kits; supporting school gardens and school orchards; training peer educators on key health topics using the Child-to-Child approach. Save the Children is also participating in curriculum development at provincial level in the local language, which may be adopted at national level. A Memorandum of Understanding has been agreed with provincial directorates of health and education regarding school health, curriculum development, training and health kit replenishment. In addition, to respond to a third year of crop failures and increasing food shortages in the SHN intervention area, Save the Children and the World Food Program started a school feeding project targeting 30,940 schoolchildren in 66 primary schools. Save the Children is giving children a monthly take-home ration of maize and pulses as an emergency measure. The program will be reviewed in September 2004 as the acute phase of the drought appears to be over.
Date: 2004
Source: SCF Newsletter April 2004
Contact: Sergio Sigavane (joaositoe@teledata.mz)
Note 3
AMURT , an Indian-based NGO promoting Child-to-Child activities in Sanitation and HIV and AIDS prevention
AMURT (Ananda Marga Universal Relief Team) is one of the few private voluntary organisations of Third World origin, being founded in India in 1965. It now also raises money in the US and other countries.
From Mozambique they report:
“In 2004 AMURT is currently working in 176 schools in Xai-Xai, Chibuto and Guija Districts, installing 1,408 pit latrines. In all the schools we are forming Child-to-Child sanitation committees and promoting awareness campaigns about hygiene and sanitation issues with a special focus on hand-washing and fighting HIV and AIDS.
With the help of UNICEF we are also sinking water wells in the rural schools to provide clean water for the children. We have a staff of 17 people.”
Programme described on their website which also has details of contacts.
Date: 2004
Source: Amurt website
The Child-to-Child radio network: a centre for Portuguese-speaking countries, exchanging programmes with Angola and Brazil
Child-to-Child radio was initiated in Mozambique in the 1990s. UNICEF has been working in partnership with the Radio Mozambique (RM) Child-to-Child Radio (CTCR) Programme since February 2000. The programme aims at involving children in programme design and production, and it addresses different issues, namely child rights, HIV and AIDS awareness and health in general, child sexual abuse, environmental protection and entertainment. The programme is broadcast in about 24 national languages and Portuguese and is currently operating in all RM Provincial delegations throughout the country.
These programmes are part of the Child-to-Child radio network, which includes radio stations in Angola and Brazil. The network exchanges music and programmes on child rights, HIV and AIDS, child labour, racial discrimination, and protection of the environment. Live and recorded programmes conducted by children are broadcast daily with efforts under way to expand the network at the national level to public television and community radio.
In Cabo Delgado province the programme was restructured in January 2004 counting now on a team of 20 children and one Coordinator, who is a staff member and is currently being trained by the RM Pemba.
Child-to-Child radio is widely used to spread awareness of new issues and policies as in the cholera epidemic in 2003. There are frequent descriptions and reports on the web.
Date: 2004
Source: Unicef website
Note 5
Health Readers in Portuguese
In 1998 a Portuguese edition of ten of the Child-to-Child readers covering most health priorities was published mainly for use in Mozambique schools. 65,000 were printed (10 titles). Information about their use is being sought. Both Child-to-Child, London and the Publishers, Longman in Harlow, Essex, have copies for consultation.
Date: 1998
Source: Child-to-Child Trust, London
Note 6
Mine Risk Education
As in other areas with a history of civil disturbance Child-to-Child approaches to mine risk education are still being taught and used.
Date: 2005
Source: MAG website
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