By Susan Ejang | Field Officer Lira
PLATFORM FOR LABOUR ACTION QUARTERLY UPDATE TO GLOBAL GIVING APRIL -JUNE 2010 During the past three months we have carried out the following activities; Children were supported by offering them scholastic materials, payment of their lunch fees and offering psychological help through guiding and counselling. Payment for meals of 45 girls was for $ 450. This was for the 2/12 months period. We also paid examination fees three girls in primary two, primary four and six totalling $3.5 dollars.
Monitoring visits to the schools where beneficiaries are was carried out to check on their academic performances; these include; Elia Olet Primary School, Boke P.7, Lango Koran P.7 school and King James SS, Lira P.7, V.H P.7, Railways P.7, Ireda P.7, Lira Police Primary School. Report cards were received for all the children. Overall the performance of the girls is still low this is due;
Mof the care takers of these children also lack basic needs and this leads them to looking at these children as a source of labour. They involve them in domestic chores which have interfered with their education. It affects their performance in class. Staffs of PLA have taken efforts to talk to the care givers.
The performance is also promising for some of the children for example Aguti Dorine in Primary six at Aduku Road Primary school scored aggregate 11 at the end of the first term of 2010. She has potential to score division one in her primary leaving examinations next year.
Children still lack information about HIV/AIDS. Some of the children supported under the program are HIV positive for example Rebecca Ateng. The youth counselor provides more care to Rebecca and the school is aware of her situation so she takes her medication while at school and home.
Stigma by other children once they realize or someone tells them that they are HIV Positive. To address this PLA field staff will be sensitising teachers and children on HIV/AIDS, stigma and discrimination using drama, songs and video shows. The beneficiaries will also have activities during their holiday break such as sports.
Over all there is a high number of orphans and working children who are in the similar situation like the one for our beneficiaries. Every day at least 3 care takers of the orphaned children come to our office requesting for assistance. When we refer them to other organizations they also indicate that they have closed.
• Some Children lack self confidence when among other pupils with both parents. Children living with both parents tend to dominate over the orphans who end up thinking they are worthless.
Other action taken by PLA • Children were taken through counselling to calm them down. • Regular visits are nowbeing made to monitor those missing classes and followed up to their homes. • Scholastic materials as well as school fees were sent to school on time.
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