Talibés & children’s rights: a difficult story?

Towards the end of 2017, Afractie vzw was given the opportunity to participate in a coaching programme from KIYO. During this programme, they analysed the work of Afractie from a children's rights perspective. It was a fascinating, sometimes confrontational, search for ways to stimulate the integration of the children's rights approach in their projects.

An initial analysis based on a survey from KIYO showed that while they pay attention to children's rights in their projects, they can still deepen their work in the following areas: participation of children in decision-making, formulation of clear guidelines to protect children, and starting from the rights and not from the needs of the children. The indivisibility of children's rights also became clear.

Although expected, Talibés are denied practically all children's rights. No right to be with one's own family, no right to safety and protection, no right to protection from exploitation, no right to equal treatment, no right to healthy food, water, clothing and shelter, no right to education and training, no right to care, no right to a private life, no right to sufficient time for play and leisure, etc… A confrontation with the harsh reality of the talibés in Senegal. If there is one thing we have learned during this coaching programme with KIYO it is: always ask yourself what the child wants and how the child feels about it.

The coaching programme took more than a year. During several sessions we came together with KIYO staff who asked questions always keeping a very open and listening attitude. They guided us in our thinking process. Using a start-up kit, we went through a number of principles of the Children's Rights Convention. We discussed these principles, and tried to put them into practice. How do you integrate a children’s rights-based approach in the projects in Senegal? How do you discuss the approach with the local teams? How do you go from a needs-based approach to a rights-based approach?

In between sessions, members of Afractie worked with the local teams in Senegal to adjust their operations based on the children's rights approach. This was translated into concrete issues such as clearer rules regarding dealing with the children, a customized, individual focus on the child, a variety of workshops tailored to the children, the inclusion of a talibé as a discussion partner in teamwork, etc.

‘KIYO provided us with the opportunity to reflect on our way of working with children in Senegal in a constructive and respectful way. They offered us knowledge/expertise and gave us the room and energy to further continue the reflection process. We highly recommend the trainings of KIYO as they are true eye-openers for everyone working with children and youth. Thank you KIYO- Thank you Sandra’