The Power of Children as Change Makers

Every child deserves to have a say in the decisions that affect their lives. At SOS Children’s Villages, we educate children about their rights and encourage them to advocate for themselves and others.

Fasika* is 13 years old and lives in an SOS Children’s Village in Ethiopia. She is the charity and development minister in the children’s parliament where she organizes events and engages children in families support by SOS Children’s Villages in the community.

Now in Grade 7, Faskia says that she first participated in the decision-making process in the space of her SOS Children’s Village home and has developed her skills over the years.

Every week on Sunday, Fasika’s family of 10 children, aged eight to 17 years, gather around the dinner table to discuss topics that the children have preselected. The topics are diverse, including education, behaviour change, morality and spirituality, and how to promote a sense of family. All the children participate in this discussion and have their voice heard.

“Every child, no matter the age or gender, has a role to play toward the well-being of the family,” says Fasika.

“It is important to participate in everyday activities to gain skills that are very helpful for future use, and to get into the habit of helping others. I joined my SOS family when I was a baby and I have learned a lot along the way. I can cook and even bake comfortably without my mother’s help, wash clothes and clean the house; I am also able to set up a study schedule for myself. I have learned to take responsibility.”

“Participation in the daily life of home has boosted my self-esteem and helped me to confidently move from participating at a home level to parliament, to speak on behalf of other children,” she adds.

Bizunesh, Fasika’s SOS mother, says she has created an enabling environment for positive participation of children in her family, by encouraging a culture of choice, inclusion and respect for each child’s opinion. This practice has helped her children dspeak confidently at home and in other settings like school and the community. They have become advocates of their own rights and they are able to speak out confidently without hesitation.

“I have realized that it is important to appreciate the children’s perspectives and to listen to their views,” says SOS mother Shiferaw.

“It increases their willingness to participate at home, which helps solve their problems easily because they are involved in finding the solutions. The involvement also builds their confidence to voice ideas and feelings freely, which fosters a sense of belonging and creates a golden opportunity to strengthen relationships between us. Knowing that I listen, encourages them to come to me at any time,” she says.

“Anything for us without us is not for us!” is plastered on walls at the SOS Children’s Village Jimma, as a reminder to the children and the adults in their lives that they are partners in decision making. The children and young people are afforded the space and time to increasingly express their opinions at family, village and parliament levels. They advocate on issues that concern them through either drama, music or poetry. The children even invite government officials to attend their village advocacy events.

“We do not go for a single decision without involving the children,” says Ebisa Jaleta, the programme director at SOS Children’s Village Jimma. “They have been planning for short-, mid- and long-term plans for the SOS Village. The children and young people bring in new energy and perspective in what we do. They have been taking over the assignments. The most important part about child participation is that they take ownership and negotiate decisions; when that happens, implementation becomes easy,” he says.

Tamar*, 17, is the president of the youth parliament at the SOS Children’s Village Jimma. She believes that when children and young people are empowered they can contribute to shaping a brighter future for themselves and their communities.

“Children need to be given support so they can become the leaders of tomorrow,” says Tamar.

Both the children and the youth parliament have a similar purpose; they create opportunity for the children and young people to speak out and stand up for their rights, by directly engaging with issues that affect them. All members who are 13 years old or younger are in the children’s parliament. For those who are 14 years or older, they are in the youth parliament.

“I have noticed that the older children are able to clearly articulate issues,” says Fasika. “My desire is to climb the ladder of participation as I grow older; the more I acquire the necessary skills, I will be able to advocate on issues more. Some years ago, I thought that child participation had no significance but now I realize our voices need to be heard and responded to. This is to respect our rights. Without our voice, any work done for us is worthless.”

*Name changed to protect the privacy of the children.

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