Physically challenged pupils display talent

BY PHARES MUTEMBEI

Pupils mark World’s Childrens’ Day

On June 16, 1976, thousands of children in South Africa demonstrated in the streets of Soweto, demanding for better education from their apartheid government. During the demonstration, police shot and injured many young people.

To remember the children who were killed and injured, the International Day of the African Child is celebrated every year.

Last week at Kawangware, hundreds of children gathered to mark the day with poems, song and dance. They talked about their right to a good education, summarised in a theme dubbed, “Watoto wasome na wacheze pamoja,” (all children should go to school and play together).

This year the focus was on equal treatment of disabled children.

“We can sing, dance, recite poetry and we can be good public speakers,” said the disabled children at the celebrations, organised by USAID, Lifeskills Promoters, Centre for Rights, Education and Awareness (CREAW), Plan International, Watoto Pamoja and Maisha Poa.

To showcase their talent, Pascal Anyambu, Elija Karue, Edwin Amwai and seven-year-old June Masimoni all from Kilimani Primary School in Nairobi, recited a poem titled I was like you.

“When I grow up I want to be a lawyer because lawyers try to make life better for other people,” said June who is in Class One.