I've been "interviewing" over 500 kids in Sangere (Adamawa) and Lassa (Borno) as part of a verification exercise...
They were listed as orphans or unaccompanied/separated children...
They were listed as orphans or unaccompanied/separated children...
Parents have legit left their children...some for "good" reasons, some because they just can't.
Many of the children have adult care or supervision though, but some are living alone and looking out for themselves. Children.
Many of the children have adult care or supervision though, but some are living alone and looking out for themselves. Children.
Some fathers abandoned their kids when their wives were killed or captured by BH.
Some mothers remarried when their husbands' were killed and didn't take their children to the new home.
Some mothers remarried when their husbands' were killed and didn't take their children to the new home.
Some kids dont remember the last time they saw their parents.
They will say "he/she went farming over 2 years ago and has not come back"...
They will say "he/she went farming over 2 years ago and has not come back"...
To have a more global picture though...
Many of the parents believe they're doing the right thing and in fact, have no choice...because in the village where they (parents) are, there's no school, there's more insecurity and really no hope for neither them nor their children.
Many of the parents believe they're doing the right thing and in fact, have no choice...because in the village where they (parents) are, there's no school, there's more insecurity and really no hope for neither them nor their children.
One little boy, can't be more than 5 years old got separated from his family in 2014 when his community fled. That means he was like 1.
A shop owner in Lassa stumbled upon him and has been taking care of him since. They gave him a new name and everything.
A shop owner in Lassa stumbled upon him and has been taking care of him since. They gave him a new name and everything.
Some kids (girls) in Sangere live in an accommodation with university boys as neighbours...
Imagine their susceptibility to abuse, to seeing things they aren't supposed to...etc
Imagine their susceptibility to abuse, to seeing things they aren't supposed to...etc
Imagine knowing your mother is in BH custody and your father was killed by them...
You're living in deep poverty and uncertainty...
You're living in deep poverty and uncertainty...
Let's remember that by 2019, there would've 10 years of incessant BH attacks and killings.
This means a child born in 2009 will be 10 years old and all he/she has ever known is violence, insecurity etc.
A 5 year old then, will be 15...
A 10 year old then, will be 20...
This means a child born in 2009 will be 10 years old and all he/she has ever known is violence, insecurity etc.
A 5 year old then, will be 15...
A 10 year old then, will be 20...
Imagine the short term and long term psychosocial effects.
Look at the child protection crisis we're facing and think about the cost of not doing anything.
Efforts are being made, but how far are they really going to make sustainable impact?
Look at the child protection crisis we're facing and think about the cost of not doing anything.
Efforts are being made, but how far are they really going to make sustainable impact?
How do we spur the government to more action?
What's the role of individuals like you and I? How do we play it better?
What's the cost of our inaction; long term and short term?
I'm open to discourse btw.
What's the role of individuals like you and I? How do we play it better?
What's the cost of our inaction; long term and short term?
I'm open to discourse btw.
