Thomas Constantine Martin’s Post

Tomorrow being AU day, let us renew our commitment to the wellbeing and empowerment of Africa's children. They are the future of this continent, and their potential must be nurtured and protected. Too many African children still face unacceptable hardships - poverty, malnutrition, lack of access to quality education, and vulnerability to violence and exploitation. This is unacceptable. Africa's children deserve to grow up in a safe, healthy, and supportive environment where their rights are fully respected. This AU Day, I call on all African nations to prioritize investment in child health, education, and social services. We must work together to eliminate child labor, end harmful practices like child marriage, and ensure that every African child can access the opportunities they need to thrive. Africa's children are its most precious resource. By uplifting and empowering the next generation, we lay the foundation for a more prosperous, equitable, and peaceful continent. Let's make this AU Day a catalyst for transformative action on behalf of Africa's children.

🤔 Great News... I think... though with some reservations... This is the second country in West Africa that now announces a 5-Year Plan to aid street-connected children. About two weeks ago, Ghana did so -- and now Liberia. Great to see all that attention to street children, and to hear the pleas to fight their plight (!)... BUT... I just cannot shake the feeling that these 5-Year Plans, all with their fancy titles, are so top-down, and so 'generic' that it is difficult to gauge the seriousness of their frontline, ground-level implementation, and the real impact they will have. Though some of my 'anxiety' about largely 'wasted resources' is mitigated by seeing that the Consortium For Street Children is actively involved in the Ghana plan, and that Street Child International seems involved in the Liberia one, I still wonder: * How smart will these implementations be? * How much of the money will really go to the frontline? * How much of the approach will be 'pushed top-down', and how much will be grown from the on-the-ground street children NGOs, CSOs, the local community, and the children and youth themselves? * How serious will the tracking of REAL success be? At the end of these 5 years, will we really know how well the programme helped to truly get these kids off the streets and into sustained positive futures? (meaning Quality over Quantity!)... * And... what will happen after these 5 years...? * Related: will it be possible to find more community-based and community-driven solutions, locally, also to reduce the continued dependence on international aid? 🌍 So... are these BIG Words, or will there be BIG Impacts - truly so? Difficult to gauge. https://lnkd.in/eYzG5sfd

One of our discussion provoking papers is hereunder, please go through it. Who has the courage to analyse national interests of international aid donating countries? International aid organizations and the academia have been zooming in aid recepient nations but I and my co-authors go beyond. Our "Donor-Recipient Aid Model (DRAM)" gives you a fresh insight. See page 35. Worku Tessema Jiregna Tadese Terfa

As we celebrate the Day of the African Child on June 16th, it is important to reflect on the challenges and opportunities that face the children of Africa. This day serves as a reminder of the need to prioritize the well-being and rights of African children, and to work towards creating a better future for them.It is crucial for us to recognize that African children are the future of the continent, and investing in their education, health, and overall well-being is essential for the development of Africa as a whole. This day provides an opportunity for us to recommit ourselves to ensuring that every African child has access to quality education, healthcare, and protection from all forms of abuse and exploitation.We must also acknowledge the unique challenges that many African children face, including poverty, conflict, and lack of access to basic necessities. It is our collective responsibility to address these challenges and create an environment where every child can thrive and reach their full potential.On this day, let us celebrate the resilience, creativity, and strength of African children. Let us also remember those who have been affected by violence, discrimination, and injustice, and renew our efforts to advocate for their rights and well-being.As we commemorate the Day of the African Child, let us all commit to working together to build a brighter future for the children of Africa. By investing in their future today, we can ensure a prosperous tomorrow for the entire continent. Happy Day of the African Child.Article byTsitsi Rejoice Bvumburai+263774178673 tsitsibvumburai@gmail.com 

One of my favorite poetics by Havfy🇹🇿❤️that deeply captures the raw reality of children left to survive the streets.In the shadows of our cities, the streets have become home to millions of children, forgotten by society but not by the harsh realities they face. These children wake up each day battling hunger, exploitation, abuse, and neglect. They are denied the most basic rights—education, safety, and dignity. The streets steal their childhoods, and with every day that passes, Africa loses a piece of its future. These young souls, full of untapped potential, are the very heart of what could be a thriving, prosperous continent. Street children are not just statistics. They are dreamers, survivors, and, most importantly, children who deserve a future. Yet, the systems that should protect them are failing, while poverty, conflict, and corruption continue to breed inequality, leaving these children vulnerable. As Africa continues to rise, the question remains—how can we truly progress if we abandon the most innocent and voiceless among us? At TACOafrica, we refuse to let this be the story of our continent. We are fighting relentlessly to rewrite the narrative for these children. Our mission is to ensure that every child—no matter where they come from or what their circumstances—has the opportunity to live with dignity, access education, and grow into the leaders Africa so desperately needs. This is more than a fight for their rights—it’s a fight for the future of Africa itself. Together, we are reshaping the future for orphaned and vulnerable children across Africa, one child at a time.” #StreetChildrenMatter #FutureOfAfrica #ChildrenFirst #EndChildNeglect #ProtectTheInnocent #JusticeForAllChildren #TACOafrica #ReshapingTheFuture #OrphanedAndVulnerable #AfricaRising #EveryChildDeservesAChance #BreakingTheCycle #FightForOurFuture

DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS We have a lot of development organizations in our country, just like any other black nations around the world. The aim of any development organization is to help in reducing poverty, restore peace and justice, save and protect the rights of the native people and their environment, and bring development (both mind and infrastructure). Working in this space has taught me a lot of lessons. However, one thing that always stood out for me is SELF-DEVELOPMENT. That is, one has to be fully developed in the MIND (head) before accepting any other developments. If the mind is immature, no development brought about by the government or the development organizations will be taken care of. One good example is the damaging of sign posts put up by respective authorities. Development Organizations are not owned by our government. They are like the helping hand to our government. Where this government cannot go, they step in with the help from other countries who assist in the form of AID to assist. Yet still, many people still don't understand why development aids are continuously dished out year-in-year-out by different governments/countries. That is why it is important to put in a lot of effort in running trainings/programs/activities that are targeted towards mind development and later deliver other activities. Only when the mind is open and clear, other things will fall in. To those of us working in the development space/organizations, let's have this in mind; "Development Aids will come and go. We will still be in this country because it is our country. Different development organizations will have their policies, plans, activities, programs, etc. etc. etc., but let us not forget that we are Papua New Guineans. Let's use the opportunities provided by the development organizations to learn from the way they do things and apply that into our communities for the good. Let's not compete and boast about which organization is the best. It's not about the organization. It is about us, people. Leave organization politics behind. Let's help build our nation with whatever help we receive from other nations so that we don't continue to depend on aid. Instead, let's become the donor and help others." #LetsPromoteUnity #LetsUseTheDevelopmentAidForTheBetter #LetsHelpBuildOurNation #OneCountryOnePeopleOneNation #GodBlessPNG

#AkumActForEducation Education under attack: Across conflict zones, schools are no longer safe havens. In Nigeria, Burkina Faso, and other regions, incidents of violence against students and teachers are rising—especially impacting girls, who are 2.5 times more likely to drop out. These crises bring tragic loss of life, resources, and potential, deepening trauma and inequality. We must urge governments to take immediate action to protect our children’s right to a safe, quality education. It’s time to make schools sanctuaries again. #ProtectEducation #SafeSchools #AkumActForEducation #FundEducation #akumabooks #akumactforeducation #africa #sdg4 #youth #education #qualityeducation #fundeducation #TheAfricaWeWant #Cameroon #Nigeria #Soudan #peace #conflict 🎥 : Estelle N.

#AkumActForEducation In areas affected by conflict, schools are no longer safe havens; violence has forced thousands to close, leaving millions of children without access to education. With each school closure, entire generations are left vulnerable, losing hope for a brighter future. Watch this video to learn more about the impact of conflict on education and the urgent need for solutions. Follow akuma association for insights on how we can work together to promote education in Africa 🌍📚

Imagine a country where more than half the population lives below the poverty line, and approximately 15-20% of children aged 6-14 are not in school. This is the reality in #Liberia, where educational opportunities are severely limited, and many young people face a bleak future. With a primary school completion rate of just 54% and a significant proportion of teachers lacking proper qualifications, the educational system struggles to provide the foundation needed for long-term development (Global Partnership for Education) (#USAID). These statistics underscore the urgent need for robust support to transform the educational landscape and create brighter futures for Liberian youth. We are thrilled to introduce Dani Wisch as our new Grant Writing Board Member. Currently working as a Contracts & Administration Manager, Dani is implementing a Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) system, showcasing her expertise in contract drafting and negotiation, risk management, and legal compliance. Her proficiency in ensuring efficient, legally sound processes aligned with organizational objectives will be invaluable to YesLiberia. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a remarkable ability to manage complex contract lifecycles, mitigate risks, and maintain positive stakeholder relationships. Her meticulous attention to detail and strategic approach will greatly enhance our ability to secure funding, drive impactful initiatives, and ensure operational excellence at YesLiberia. Dani’s commitment to applying her expertise to support our mission is a key asset as we strive to provide educational opportunities, and technology access to the underprivileged youth in Liberia. Join us in welcoming Dani Wisch to the #YesLiberia family. With her on our team, we are confident that we can make a significant #impact and ensure every child in Liberia has the chance to build a brighter future. Together, we can create lasting change in the lives of Liberian children and their communities. Sources: UNICEF Liberia - Basic Education Overview https://buff.ly/4bL0Fhy World Bank Liberia Data https://buff.ly/3Veykt3 USAID Liberia - Education https://buff.ly/2OlqTgy #transforminglives #changemakers #yesliberia #scholarships

Conflict and climate change are devastating young African children's education. It’s crucial to raise awareness of how those external factors can jeopardize the future of these young minds with so much potential. This video illustrates that harsh reality. #AkumaActforEducation #Africa #Education #Children #Future