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DRAFT REPORT FOR COMMOMERATION OF THE DAY OF THE AFRICAN CHILD IN SOMALILILAND ON JUNE 16th 2011''' Prepared by; Ismail Mohamed Save the Children –Somaliland –Office ismailmohamed@scsom.org Tel: 0025224262837

1.1.	BREIF INTRODUCTION Even though Somaliland state is not recognized by international community, a remarkable commemoration of the Day of the African Child has been conducted under the regional theme adopted by ACERWC " All Together for Urgent Actions in Favour of Street Children". The celebration was conducted in the main four regions of Somaliland.

The event’s ceremony was coordinated and managed by Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MOLSA) with the support of the Save the Children in collaboration with other government institutions (MOJ, MOE &NHRC), UN, and International Organizations, Local None Governmental Organizations, media and children as well.

The celebration was extremely organized utmost level with greatest efforts of the Director General, head of Child Protection Department and other extended staff of MOLSA. In this result, the celebration was conducted in four major regions of Somaliland for instance; Maroodijeex region especially in ( Hargeisa town), Awdal region in ( Borama town, Dila district,  Baki district and  Ruqi village), Sahil region ( Berbera town) and Toghdher region ( Burco town).

Highest ranked government officers including; Honourable the First Lady of Somaliland, cabinets members, Governors, Vice governors, Mayors, members of the parliamentary and Directors Generals (MOLSA, MOJ, MOE, MOYS, MOR), were participated the ceremony. In addition to that, members of the regional representatives of the government ministries(MOLSA,, MOJ, MOYS, REOs, DEOs), national top musicians and Comedies , National Police Music Band, street children and representatives of the UN, INGOs and local NGOs were also  participated the celebrations in National, Regional and District level. A various activities were conducted in different places both in Hargeisa and other regions by different institutions as stated in following pages; 1.2.	DAC’s Activities in Hargeisa 1.3.	Hargeisa Civil Service House : several celebrations of the DAC have been  carried out in Hargeisa, but the main activities   under the theme of the year was conducted at Hargeisa Civil Service House by MOLSA in collaboration with INGOs, UN and local CSO including National Human Right Commission and Hargeisa Child Protection Network. The activity was started road marching/rally lead by national police band with street children, Government officers, LNGOs, INGOs and UN. The match started at Ministry of Interior to Civil Service House in Hargeisa.

Directors generals (MOLSA, MOJ, MOR and MOY), Representatives of UN/INGOs and LNGOs, Chair women of the National Human Right Commission were present of the same kind speeches on the rights of the children in generally and in particularly  the rights  and needs of the children Street.

The officers encouraged the community and recommended to the government to take an urgent action to promoting and protecting  the street children. The DG of MOLSA say that the construction of the accommodation section of the rehabilitation centre of the street children in Hargeisa accomplished with the support of the local business pe0ple and small contribution from Hargeisa municipality and MOLSA.

The DG requested other GO and UN/INGOs and LNGOs to assist MOLSA to complete the outstanding work of the rehabilitation centre. The Chairwoman of the National Human Right Commission announced that NHRC have 4000 USD to contribute to the rehabilitation centre of the street children.

National top Musician and comedians also displayed very touching drama and songs on the situation of the children. On top of that street children presented their voices and needs to government and community. Members of the street Children also have expressed their problems and needs to government and community. They requested an urgent support and better place to be protected from violations and abuses. The voices of the children disseminated to community through different media channels to sensitize and increase awareness of the community and government the needs and rights of the street children.

In the end member of the Somaliland parliamentary took the floor and strongly suggested to the government and community to take urgent action in favour of the street children. He promised that he will pass the voices of the children and CSO to the government and house of the parliamentary. At the end of the ceremony the street children were provided lunch at Summertime Hotel.

1.4.	Hargeisa Orphanage Centre In addition to that, a beautiful ceremony as part of the DAC’s commemoration was held in HOC. The first lady of Somaliland with members of the cabinets including Minister of Education, UN/INGOs and LNGOs, members of Somaliland Diaspora, business sector and other key persons were participated in the celebration. Orphanage  children have presented drama, songs about their rights and needs. Honourable the First Lady of Somaliland, Governor of Maroodijeex regions, Minister of Education and other key members were presented the same speech towards the rights of the children in particularly needs and rights  of the orphaned children and other needy children. 1.5.	Disability Action Aid (DAN): Furthermore, Disability Action Aid (DAN)-local organization for disability has also conducted highly regarded in Disability rehabilitation centre in Hargeisa run by DAN. Many disabled children, parents of the children, Government officers, UN/INGOs and LNGOs were participated in the ceremony. DAN has distributed different playing material to the children. In Addition to that, DAN has financially contributed other celebration of the DAC organized by the MOLSA. 1.6.	SOS village: At the same time as part of the DAC’s commiseration SOS has conducted well decorated ceremony in SOS village. SOS village children, other children who benefit SOS support, parent of the children and government officers as well as CSO/INGOs were participated in the ceremony. Different officers addressed similar issues on the rights of the children. 1.7.	MOE: Moreover as part of DAC’s ceremony, Gender Department of the MOE carried out evening celebration at MAANSOOR Hotel which focused girl’s rights to education although other issues of the children including street children was addressed. HYDA further mo

1.8.	Sahil Region: YOVENCO-local implementing partners of the Save the Children in collaboration with representative of the MOLSA of Sahil region have conducted DAC ceremony in Berbera. Honourable Minister of the Ministry of Planning, Governor of Sahil Region and Mayor of Berbera, government officers, members of the local counsel of Berbera, Civil Society organizations, key traditional leaders, prominent religious leaders, business people, women organizations, street children and media were participated in the ceremony, Honourable Ministry of Planning, governor, Mayor and other guest were presented speeches about the rights of the street children.

The governor and the mayor promised to build rehabilitations centre for the street children in Berbera town. They also committed to provide other urgent needs of the children such as; education to street children as soon as possible. The Minister of the Ministry of Planning suggested it’s important to get accurate of the street children. At the end of the ceremony YOVENCO provided cloths and lunch for street children.

1.9.	Awdal Region: At the same time AYODA –implementing partners of the Save the Children for CRG and CPS in Awdal region  in collaboration with  MOLSA representative of Awdal region, local organization MOON LIGHT and SAYS  with Financial support of the Save the children and World Vision have conducted the DAC ceremony in Borama. The Ceremony was conducted under the theme of the year for DAC 2011.

Honourable Vice governor, mayor of Borama, CSO organizations, street children, traditional leaders, key prominent persons, private sector and media were participated in the ceremony at the Borama public sport stadium. Many issues of the street children were raised by the different regional officers, CSO and other honourable guest. The mayor of Borama have promised to provide land to build rehabilitation centre for the street children while other CSO and Community promised to provide other basic needs of the children. AYODA provided cloths and T-shirts to the 100 of street children.

On top of that World Vision with MOLSA has conducted the similar ceremonies in Dila district, Baki district, and Ruqi village. Government authority of the these areas, key community leaders and community, parents and children were participated in the ceremonies

1.10.	Togdher Region: MOLSA –representatives of Togdher have conducted the ceremony in Burco the capital of Toghdher regions. The ceremony was conducted the conference hall of the Governor Office .The Governor of the Toghdher, MOLSA regional representatives and other officers from Government and CSO were participated the ceremony. Many officers revealed and addressed in their speeches the problems of the children in particularly the needs of the street children.

The governor promised that his office will provide possible support to the street children as soon as possible. The Governor also encouraged other government institutions and CSO both international and national organizations to take an urgent action to helping the street children

1.11.	Media Coverage Most commonly   media channels  namely;Somaliland National TV(SNTV), Hargeisa  TV(HTV), Horn Cable TV (HCTV), Somali TV, Universe TV, Radio Hargeisa, Voice Of America(VOA), Jamhuuriya News paper, Hadhwanaag  media, Waaheen media, Information News, Awdal news and many other  media have disseminated information of the outcome of the DAC ceremonies to educate  and increase the awareness of the community and government  to understand the needs of the street children.

1.12.	Outcome of the DAC,2011 The following issues emerged from the Day of the African Child in Somaliland 1.13.	To collect the accurate data of the street children in Somaliland 1.14.	To develop strategy plan for take an urgent action the needs of the street children 1.15.	To carry out ongoing awareness raising for community towards the needs and protection of the street children 1.16.	To accomplish construction of the rehabilitation centre of the street children in Hargeisa

1.17.	Conclusion: 1.18.	The Commemoration of the Day of the African Child have been conducted in Somaliland to the highest standard with utmost commitment and active participation of the highest Government officers, Community, children, private sector, UN/INGOs, local CSO and Media. 1.19.	The Celebration has been conducted under the theme of the year Adopted by the ACERWC “All Together for Urgent Actions in Favour of Street Children"..

1.20.	Recommendations: 1.21.	MOLSA and SC and implementing partners (AYODA, HAVOYOCO, SOYDA and YOVENCO) should develop concert plan of action including  regular follow up meetings  with stakeholders  to meet up the objectives and  outcome of the DAC Ceremonies 1.22.	ACERWC should evaluate the commitment and success of the Somaliland Government and CSO towards achievement of the objectives of the commemoration of the Day of the African Child in 2011 and 2010. 1.23.	ACERWC representative should attend the next commemoration of the Day of the African Child in 2012 in Somaliland 1.24.	Somaliland Government should be recognized by international community in order Somaliland to implement the rights of the children in compliance  with the convention on the rights of the children and African Chatter on the  welfare of the child

A brief information about my background
Brief Information about My Background I am Ismail Mohamed Abdi. I am living now in Hargeisa, Somaliland. I am working for Save the Children International in Somaliland program as Child Protection Coordinator and Child Safeguarding Champion. I am extremely happy for working Save the Children International as to protect vulnerable children from all forms of violations and abuses. I Joined to Save the Children in November 23, 2002. I started working for children at my age of 18 years old as a Volunteer Health Worker for children in Hargeisa Boys Home (HBH) and Hargeisa Orphanage Centre (HOH) in 1st January 1984 to July 31, 1988. When was Health Worker for children in HBH and HOC, I was the first person that the sick children came for first aid medical support whether in emergency or normal rooting  work and  children used to trust me and I had good relationship with all the children. In 8/8/1988, I evacuated from Hargeisa to Ethiopia to get secure place as result of a civil war was started in Hargeisa in 31st May 1988, between Somaliland National Movement (SNM) and Somali dictatorship military government. I was living there in Harshin (small town) in Somali region- Ethiopia Somali as refugee from August 1988 to May 1991. During my refugee time, I used to have my own private pharmacy in Harshin Ethiopia to cover the needs of my family to be self-sufficient rather than dependent of  refugee support. During that time, I used to provide a free medical support for the needy sick children and their families. I used to visit and travel by foot to remote areas outside of Harshin to help the sick people including children. However, I had returned to Hargeisa in May 1991, after Somaliland (former North West) regions of Somalia became independent state under the control of Somali National Movement (SNM) as a result of Somali military regime collapsed. When I came back to Hargeisa, I started working in Hargeisa Orphanage as voluntary assistant the director of Hargeisa Orphanage Centre. When I was assistant director I used to do handle also medical service of the children and supervise the staff of the center. However, in 1997, I was promoted to higher position and became the manager of Hargeisa Orphanage Centre till 2001. A shocking story about my Mother’s Death My mother died when I was 5 years old. The day my mother died was a very sad day. My mother became sick after she gave a birth to my third sister. At that time, I used to keep lambs near home and I used to come back home every afternoon for food/milk. Every day when I came home, I used to say  how are you mama and my mother used to node  or raise her  as she could not able to speak. A one day at afternoon, I came to Home. When I entered the house (Aqal Somali) my mother was lying where I left her in the morning and she was looking like smiling, as her mouth was open. I felt so happy because I thought she has recovered well. With happiness I, said to her “mama” give me food. Unfortunately, she did not reply. I touched but did not move. Amazed what happened with my loved mother. After a moment, I heard my aunt (sister) of my mother was screaming /mourning outside. I realized that my mother died. I never saw  a dead person before that sad day. A Few days after the death of my mother, I faced a very harsh life including family separation (father, sisters and brother), lack of food, lack of care, fears and insecurity, loneliness, verbal abuse, humiliation and so many other critical situations. The first year after the death of my mother, I stayed with my camel herd cousins in the jungle remote area to get enough milk as my father had not an alternative way to get enough food/milk. Otherwise in Somali life style it’s very rare that parents send their young child with camel herds as the life in came is very difficult situations where the young children cannot survive for various reasons including existence of different forms of abuses and violations against young child such as; corporal punishment, hard work fear and regular frightening, lack of water, food and ongoing conflict among camel herders over looting camels. A few years after being a camel boy, my step uncle (brother of my foster mother) took me as his shepherd. I had been shepherds for few years, which was really much worse than during my time in camel herds. However, after years, I escaped and managed myself and came to my uncle who was a police officer in Hargeisa. My uncle took me to Children’s Home for vulnerable children in Hargeisa. I lived in the children’s Home until I completed my secondary education in 1985. Living in the institutional care is another challenge, which affects children in many ways including physically, mentally, either emotionally or socially. Now, I am happy to work with save the children as child protection coordinator to promote protection rights of vulnerable children in Somaliland regardless any form of discrimination. I found working with Save the Children very important organizations to protect children from violations and abuses that I experienced through my childhood. Save the Children makes a significant change in the lives of vulnerable children across the world.