Engage children in child-oriented programming – World Vision Malawi

By Sylvester Kumwenda

World Vision Malawi has emphasized the need to incorporate children’s views in programs that directly affect the children to improve child participation and effectiveness of interventions.

Carolyn Lumbalu, Project Officer for Tiwerenge 365, an education-oriented project being implemented by World Vision in Dowa and Kasungu, made the remarks Tuesday in an interview when the organization engaged children from Traditional Authority Chakhaza in Dowa.

The meeting that took place at Kasangadzi aimed at soliciting children’s views and perceptions on how their ideas are, and can be incorporated into the organizations programing.

“The main purpose was to measure children’s participation in all our interventions by assessing the scope, quality and outcome of child participation.

“This is important because parents or stakeholders may have their own priorities and children have their own needs too. And if children are not involved, we cannot really find out what troubles are, affecting them and how best to address those,” she said.

Lumbalu said from the engagement, it was impressive to see that most of the children indicated that they are consulted in most of the interventions World Vision MW is implementing.

“This is very exciting because it can motivate the children to embrace the interventions, which can result in the desirable results,” she said.

The standard four to eight learners were drawn from 12 primary schools and Early Childhood Development Centres implementing the Tiwerenge project.

The children are also members of various clubs like Savings for Transformation Groups, Child Parliament, reading and quiz clubs and others.

Albert Chakale, Key Teacher at Chakhaza Primary School, said they always keep open channels for children’s contribution of ideas and feedback.

Pierre Harold, Standard 7 Lerner at Chambidzi primary school, said incorporating children’s ideas into programming motivates learners to take part in activities, and safeguards the interests of the child.