BUJUMBURA June 15th (ABP) – The association “Bon Geste” organized on Monday, June 13, 2022, a round table, to discuss with the speakers, on the significant progress in the protection of the rights of the child and on the challenges that haunt this field. This meeting was organized as part of the celebration of the International Day of the African Child, June 16 each year, which recalls the date of June 16, 1976, when thousands of South African students demonstrated in Soweto to demand quality education, a check on the site by ABP has revealed.
The adviser to the Minister of National Solidarity, Social Affairs, Human Rights and Gender, Mr. Etienne Gashamura, indicated that the ministry he represented positively appreciates the activities of the association “Bon Geste”, for his contribution to the protection of the rights of street children. It is in this context that he asked the participants in the round table to contribute to the implementation of the projects already identified in this association.
The legal representative of the “Bon Geste” association, Mrs. Christine Ntahe, said that contributing to the protection of children’s rights is an act of charity. She called on the participants to act in favor of this category of street children because of their vulnerability. Commendable actions have been taken by some children’s stakeholders, but the road ahead remains very long, she added.
Mrs. Ntahe also indicated that the association “Bon Geste” has looked, since its approval in 2007, on the category of children in general and on those in street situations in particular, to bring them to improve their present.
According to her, the association “Bon Geste” is determined to continue its contribution to the promotion and protection of the rights of children in the country. She pointed out that these children have a feeling of having been abandoned and even rejected by society. And by being in a street situation, they can disrupt the security of the whole country and even of the sub-region.
Ms. Ntahe also clarified the origin of her name of Mom-Sunday. She had been preparing a meal every Sunday to share with street children since 1994, after learning that every street child had to walk through houses or rummage through garbage cans to get something to eat.
Despite their living conditions, she said, street children have a dream. They can one day become a doctor, pilot, lawyer, etc., when we act for their promotion and protection.
Mrs. Ntahe further reported that among these children, she has those who have completed vocational training in different trades but who lack start-up equipment for their socio-economic integration. She asks society to remain at the disposal of these children, for their well-being. Note that the association “Bon Geste” has already 28 years of service with volunteer staff and is determined to contribute to the protection of children’s rights.