Monthly Archives: December 2024

Marie Benketaf: Hello, can you introduce yourself and the context of this action?

Tobias Gbaguidi: Hello, I’m Tobias Gbaguidi, Programmes Unit Manager at RACINES, PARTAGE’s partner in Benin. This project is part of our three-year plan PRiED 2023-2025 (Programme Intégré d’Education) supported by PARTAGE.
With the aim of contributing to quality education in the Collines department, RACINES has, for several years now, had a policy of providing health care for the children of partner schools in Savalou and Bantè, our area of intervention. We have initiated a mobile medical consultation to treat children suffering from eye problems.

Marie Benketaf: Can you tell us how this activity came about?

Tobias Gbaguidi: There were three stages.

The first was to identify the children likely to benefit from monitoring, which was done by the directors and their deputies under the supervision of the management team, who validated and authorised the initiative. The result is significant: 117 children in our partner schools suffer from eye pain!

The second stage involved more in-depth analysis. Suspected’ cases were confirmed by means of a more detailed, complementary examination. A follow-up table was drawn up, showing the identity of each child, his or her school and class, and listing the suspicions and then the confirmation following diagnosis.
The in-depth examination identified 50 children with very high needs.

Thirdly, we organised an appointment for each child with a specialist ophthalmologist. A more precise diagnosis was then made for each child, indicating the remedies required: glasses, ophthalmological treatment and sometimes additional examinations in the capital (Cotonou).

Finally, we were able to assist the families according to the needs identified. For the most minor cases, medicines were made available quickly and distributed to the parents. 11 children were fitted with corrective lenses at the start of the 2024 school year, enabling them to read more easily in class. Finally, for children who needed further tests, RACINES also took care of them, much to the delight of the children and their parents.

Marie Benketaf: What advice can you give to PARTAGE RISE network partners who would like to set up an activity of this kind?

Tobias Gbaguidi: It’s important to think ahead, as RACINES has just done. This helps to avoid a worsening of the children’s health situation, in a context where their parents are financially unable to pay for routine consultations or annual health check-ups.

Interview by Marie BENKETAF, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Manager

November 20 marks an important anniversary: all the partner members of the PARTAGE RISE network are celebrating the International Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). This year, the CRC celebrated its 35th birthday. And like every year, you, the network’s partners in the field, committed to defending children against all forms of abuse, have responded to our call for a joint event: ‘The Great Gallery of Children’s Rights’.

Following a survey carried out last summer, it was the creation of a large gallery of rights that was voted for. The concept is quite simple and allows children to participate freely: on a sheet of paper, each child illustrates the right that seems most important to him or her. The idea is not to perform or compete, but to give free rein to their creativity and artistic expression. Children are so gifted. They have a lot to say when adults give them space!

You supported the children by providing them with materials and, of course, by staging an exhibition in the places where they live: playgrounds, social centres and village squares. The gallery was often a pretext for discussing rights. Because parents, teachers, all educators and the community in general have a role to play. Children know how to remind them. This exhibition makes them visible and puts them at the centre of adults’ attention. A first step towards promoting their rights!

This large gallery has woven an imaginary thread of drawings that has travelled around the world: from Haiti to Honduras, from Ecuador to Brazil, via Burkina Faso, Benin, Madagascar and the Comoros in Africa, not forgetting a diversion through Romania, Egypt, Lebanon and Palestine, before moving on to Asia and Nepal, India and Thailand. These works of art, more than mere creations, are voices of hope and a vision of a better future, calling on elders and leaders to ensure that the rights of every child are celebrated and protected.

Well done to the children for their talent and courage. When the beauty of the drawings meets the ugliness of the bombs, art carries such a powerful message… and reminds adults that children must not be abandoned, especially those growing up in the midst of war and violence, in Lebanon, Haiti, Burkina Faso or Palestine.

Thank you to the adults who support them and guide them along the path of rights, for their unfailing commitment on a daily basis, whatever the cost.

Marie BENKETAF, Head of Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning

On 6 November 2024, the ASOS office in Tuléar was the scene of a decisive workshop bringing together PARTAGE’s partners in Madagascar: BEL AVENIR, ASOS and VAHATRA (via Teams).

The main aims of the event were to:

• create a space for exchanges between partners with a certain geographical proximity, by promoting better knowledge of their activities and expertise and strengthening their links,
• identify and share best practice, and to discuss the challenges and opportunities of working in synergy.

The discussions were rich and constructive, highlighting the strengths of each organisation and the aspects highlighted by the other participants. The workshop highlighted the innovative approaches and specific expertise of each partner. VAHATRA, for example, was praised for its approach to personalised social support and its commitment to strengthening the dynamic with local players. BEL AVENIR demonstrated significant expertise in child protection, school follow-up and extra-curricular activities. ASOS highlighted the effectiveness of its community-based approach through its health projects.

They all showed a great openness to exchanging experiences on major themes such as child protection, socio-cultural activities and strengthening health systems.

The results of this workshop are promising and will lead to the programming of field visits between partners. Contacts were exchanged with a view to developing future collaborations and joint initiatives based on best practice, so that together we can overcome current and future challenges.

This workshop was a success in that it marked a decisive turning point, decompartmentalising strategic thinking, bringing out new ideas and strengthening links between organisations.

Livah RABEARISON, Indian Ocean Regional Coordinator