FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Nairobi, December 8, 2010---Koinonia Action for Peace (KAP) in collaboration with Youth United for Peace in Kenya (YUPK), will be hosting a Peace March for Children’s Rights scheduled on Saturday, 11th December 2010 with the theme “All rights for all children.”The march will start from Kibera’s Olympic primary school (Kamukunji Grounds) at 8.00 am to Kibera DC grounds near Administration Offices along Kibera Drive, ending by 1:00 PM.  

 The peace march comes hot on the heels of an intensive six months process of creating awareness on the state of children’s rights in our local communities. It was achieved through workshops/trainings and meetings targeting people in Lang’ata, Dagoretti and Kajiado South. A major conference was also held at shalom House on December 4 that deliberated on the Children’s rights issue

 The discussion during the conference encompassed a unique platform for different grassroots organizations, including faith based organizations, youth groups, NGOs and cultural organizations to come together, mobilizing their diverse ideas, resources, networks and human assets for a more effective approach to peace building.

 KAP is a new initiative launched by Koinonia Community a lay Christian organization committed to the growth of the local society within which the Community is based.

 The initiative was formed to promote sustainable peace in various informal settlements and local communities in Kenya. It was conceived with the aim of reducing the various forms of conflict among groups and communities that have been marginalized by socio-economic, political and cultural barriers. This is achieved through empowerment programs that enhance peaceful transformation of our society.

Street children in Kenya face numerous hardships and danger in their daily lives. In addition to the hazards of living on the street, these children face harassment andabuse from the police and within thejuvenile justice system for no reason other than the fact that they are street children. Living outside the protection of responsible adults, street children are easy and silent targets for exploitation by society at large.

Sadly enough, it is the harassment and negative adult reactions, not their hunger that troubles the children on the street the most. Isolation and distrust cause them the greatest pain.

The advent of the new constitution provides for the rights of the minorities. These in simple terms gives the children including the less privileged a sense of belonging.

The majority of the children would not wish to continue with street life if given an alternative. According toThe African Network for the Prevention and Protection against Child Abuse and Neglect (ANPPCANN) study, 77 per cent reported that they would not wish to continue with street life with reasons being street life is bad and tiring, in addition to the desire for a better life.

This initiative therefore expects to address these issues and others affecting vulnerable children with the involvement of all the stakeholders.

For more information contact

Project Manager

Boniface Okada

+254771573898

Or Media Liaison

Eric Sande