On a sunny day in southwest Uganda, excited murmurs swept through rows of 80 students, donned in black caps and gowns and waiting for the ceremony to begin. As a man approached the podium, a hush fell over the room.
“This is the day we have waited for, for so long,” said Didas, Mbarara’s Viva Equip People (VEP) centre administrator. He went on to congratulate the students on completing their VEP course, a programme that equips childcare workers to work with children effectively in challenging contexts such as poverty and abuse. Having gone through the course himself, Didas knew that each graduate’s incredible achievement meant that many more vulnerable children could be reached, protected, listened to and cared for.
Across Uganda 500 more students attended VEP graduation ceremonies, each passionate to confront the harsh realities facing children at risk. “The problem is that children’s rights are violated; they are treated like slaves; they are seriously beaten; they are burnt with boiling water and fire; there are children with no shelter; there are children sleeping in bushes. Our children are suffering,” said a local policeman during a ceremony, highlighting the great need of caregivers to protect children.
The VEP students, though, seemed already to have put their training into practice, and many saw the difference before the course was complete. “I realised that our organisation was not always reaching the most vulnerable. Thanks to what we have learnt, things are changing,” said a graduate in Kampala. Others, so enthusiastic about the training, were eager to spread their knowledge. “I’m now spending more time with the children and following up the issues they face,” said a primary school teacher in central Uganda. “The training on child protection and trauma and resilience was so helpful. I shared what I learnt with the District Education officials and they want to share it with others.”
Many learnt the crucial lesson that listening to children and involving them in decision-making can cultivate their confidence to speak up for their rights. Mary, a graduate in the eastern region, told us, “Before, we were not involving children’s ideas. The course has changed the way we relate to children, how we see them and value them. It has helped me to look at life from the children’s side.”
But speakers and staff emphasised that training needed to accompany a passion to bring change for children: “Jesus spoke about looking after the children, particularly orphans, but you cannot give out what you don’t have inside you. What is in you is what you give out,” said Ema, one of the VEP organisers. It is why the VEP staff were excited that ministers and pastors were among the graduates. “We are so happy about this because we know that church leaders are very influential people. Almost every day they have a congregation to share their vision with and now they can share a vision of excellent care for children.”
Through the Viva Equip People course we are beginning to see communities change and grow as local teachers, church leaders and childcare workers are given the tools to support children at risk. As the Guest of Honour at the Mbarara ceremony, Reverend Johnson Twinomujuni said, “If any nation is going to develop we must look after our children.”
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