What's happening

What's happening

Kids changing the world

Kids changing the world

Young people have their say

Young people have their say

Community theatre youth initiative

Community theatre youth initiative

Youth forums and summits

Youth forums and summits

'My School' Fujifilm / UNICEF children's photo competition in Eastern Cape

'My School' Fujifilm / UNICEF children's photo competition in Eastern Cape

Photo essays

Photo essays

 

Young people have their say

© UNICEF/SouthAfrica/Rheeder

Vuyiswa-Mtolo Senior Secondary School: girls and boys at the forefront of change

Ocean of Tears

 

A poem by a grade 9 boy from the GEM club at Vuyiswa-Mtolo School in KwaMashu near Durban, KwaZulu Natal Province.

 

I
Can it be that I am not dull witted and ignorant but gifted?
Can it be the abuse I encountered doesn’t make me a crushed person
Can it be just because I wash my face with tears now, does not mean the life will never be kind to me again
Can it be the emotional rejection does not imply
I will never be psychological sound.

II
I may be a poor African Child
But I am the future of the world
I may be poor and sleep without food in my stomach
But I am somebody
I have the right to be respected and not violated
I have the right to a good life as a human being because I am somebody.

III
Life is full of ups and downs
But I smile because I am alive.
I’m left with young siblings who need food
I’m not working I’m schooling I’m just a kid who will help.
May be a good Samarian will come forward
May be tomorrow the tears of my soul will be wiped dry.

IV
Where do I see myself tomorrow
Being a Chartered Accountant
Being an Engineer or being Entrepreneur
How big is big dream.
Will destiny decide some dreams are unrealizable
Is the sky the limit of one’s mind.
Where to from here?
Yesterday was experienced, today negotiated, tomorrow who knows by God!

V
What has gone wrong with our world for it to be visited by such an enemy as HIV/AIDS
Why is our grown up people and youth slaughtered by HIV/AIDS.
Why is HIV/AIDS destroying our nation
Why is destruction of societies future?

The graveyards are being filled to overflow with the beloved victims of HIV/AIDS
Our mothers, fathers, brother and sisters are snatched away from us
How much suffering is enough for one person to experience?
Oceans of tears when will answers arrive?

 

More opinions and stories:

Statement by children at the State of the World's Children 2006 Report launch
 

Read the report prepared by children from different backgrounds and communities in and around Cape Town after discussing the situation of children accross the world and the UNICEF State of the World's Children 2006 Report, focusing on Excluded and Invisible Children. (UNICEF SA photo by R Hearfield)

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5th Children and Media Summit: Children must be part of the organising process

By Aliyah Allie, age 15 years, Grade 10, Raucall High School, Johannesburg

“This being the world summit on media for children that we are preparing for, it is imperative that young people are present. As a result of the fact that we are the Children and Broadcasting Foundation of Africa (CBFA), it is of utmost importance that children are part of the organising process."

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GEM Girls take action to help themselves and other children

State of the World's Children 2005 launch: young people's report:

My name is Sonwabiso Fanta and I come from the Eastern Cape. I am from King William's Town; to be precise I am from Dimbaza (a location near King). I am 16 years old and I am going to Standard 9 this year. I am in a youth group called the Girls Education Movement (GEM) Eastern Cape and I am also its president.

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A KwaZulu Natal Programme to stop violence against girls in the schools is vision of a boy!

Twelve year-old Mziwe Thutu Mlondo is showing that having boys as strategic allies is a great advantage for girls.  Thanks to Mziwe, the Malanga Senior Primary School in rural KwaZulu-Natal now has its own successful programme to curb violence against girls in schools. 

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Day of the African child
In preparation of 16 June 2004, Day of the African Child, children from twelve Soul Buddyz Clubs in Gauteng, KwaZulu Natal and Western Cape, who had never painted before were mentored by art students from the German International School and produced the striking work of that was unveiled on Constitution Hill on 16 June. Two of the children tell us about their day.
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Girl Child gets reasonable education in South Africa

Report by Precious Ramushu, Grade 11 - "Star of Hope School" - Hammanskraal, Gauteng

on the launch of the State of the World’s Children, 2004

On 11 December 2003, a number of very excited children gathered at the Goethe Institute in Johannesburg. Under discussion were girls, their education and their development - especially in developing nations.

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“Nothing for us without us” say young people at ICASA

by Nkule Mthembu, The Crisp Trust, Durban

The 13th ICASA (International Conference on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) in Africa) Conference took place in September 2003 in Nairobi, Kenya.  It became an exciting forum for young people to articulate their feelings and ideas about HIV/AIDS and about their commitment to an appropriate response. 

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My experience in the development of International Youth Policy

By Millet Nkanyane , age 16, grade 10, Ga-Thoka, Mankweng District, Limpopo province

I was fortunate to be given an opportunity of attending a workshop on the development of an International Youth Policy from National Youth Policies in process or completed from African countries like Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Zambia, Zimbabwe and others in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 23rd to 26th September 2003.

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