Tiyanjane Children's Corner: Empowering Youth, Nurturing Talents, and Combating Child Rights Abuses in Rural Malawi
Tiyanjane Children's Corner addresses child rights abuses and nurtures talent at Mbame CBCC in Malawi - Thokozani Beaton.
Malawi-The establishment of Tiyanjane Children's Corner at the Tiyanjane Community Based Childcare Centre (CBCC) in Mbame, Blantyre, is making significant strides in addressing child rights abuses and fostering talent development among rural youth in Malawi, writes Thokozani Beaton.
Following a government of Malawi commission to study and review service delivery strategies for children, Tiyanjane Children's Corner, also known locally as "Bwalo la ana," provides over 100 children aged 6–18 with psychosocial support, life skills education, and empowerment on children's rights.
Through various transformative activities that enhance interpersonal relationships, Tiyanjane Children's Corner is equipping children with knowledge about their rights and empowering them to report abuses they encounter at school or home.
This has resulted in positive outcomes, as highlighted by 15-year-old Roselyn Banda, a standard 7 learner at Mbame Primary School, who stated, "Some of the abuses I suffered have now stopped because I am now aware of my rights and where to seek assistance."
The initiative has also been praised for providing an opportunity for mutual social interaction and learning social values that contribute to the well-being of children in the community, as noted by 13-year-old James Pelela, a learner at Nankumba Primary School.
However, James also highlighted the need for more children's tools suitable for talent development, which he believes can foster skill development among the youth.
Caroline Mwase, a volunteer at Tiyanjane Children's Corner, shared that the caregivers use a curriculum donated by partners to teach topics that are appropriate for different age groups.
The centre has also received a boost of playing and learning tool kits for assorted sporting disciplines from well-wishers who have noticed the community's efforts towards the initiative.
Despite these achievements, Mwase acknowledged that some facilitators lack capacity due to poor structures at the centre, hindering the delivery of certain lessons and games.
Maggie Chiwamba, a child protection worker from Blantyre District Social Welfare, commended the commendable job done by Tiyanjane Children's Corner facilitators despite their lack of proper training.
In addition to the Children's Corner, Tiyanjane CBCC also runs a nursery school to support early childhood development services in the community.
Esmie Chikopa, the director of the centre, highlighted that Tiyanjane Children's Corner is wholly owned by the community, and plans are underway to construct a structure conducive to learning and interaction for children using locally made bricks.
However, lack of finances may pose challenges in realizing these plans, as acknowledged by the Acting Headteacher at Mbame Primary School, Frank Symon Phiri, whose institution receives graduates from Tiyanjane Nursery School who perform highly in class.