HUMAN EXISTENCE IS UNDER THREAT.....THE ONGOING SEA EROSION IN WEST POINT, LIBERIA'S LARGEST SLUM

HUMAN EXISTENCE IS UNDER THREAT.....THE ONGOING SEA EROSION IN WEST POINT, LIBERIA'S LARGEST SLUM

It saddens me to note that Environmental Protection is of little priority in Liberia. Sea erosion, which is a component of environmental denudation, has continuously affected the Township of West Point, a slum community that houses over 20,000 dwellers, whose chief economic activity is Fishing.

For some years now, many people have been made homeless as a result of sea erosion. Many men, women and sadly, children, are now forced to sleep along the beach and on tables in front shops and in markets.

Recently, just in a period of three days, the Atlantic Ocean, which bounds West Point on the south, has been eroding towards houses along the West Point beach. Hundreds of houses have been destroyed, schools have been devastated denying children to attend school and young girls and women, who are victims of the sea erosion, could be sexually abused by wicked individuals while sleeping in an open but vulnerable place, like the beach, during night hours.

Today, Giving Hope To Children Foundation did a picture/video documentary on the current sea erosion and the state of the people. (Documentary to be posted soon).

Giving Hope To Children Foundation is appealing to the good and loving people of Liberia including the Liberian government and eminent citizens to come to the aid of the victims, as hundreds of people are now homeless and many children in vulnerability. In case you want to get involved in our humanitarian work to assist victims, please send an email to Giving Hope To Children Foundation on admin@gihocfoundation.org or keitaabrahamvi@gmail.com.

Better still, you can call GIHOC's staffs, Nyantee Togba and Patrick Wee on +231770119797 and +231776312080.

Speech @ the 31st Session of the UN Human Rights Council

Speech Delivered by: Abraham M. Keita
2015 International Children’s Peace Prize winner
Member – KidsRights Youngsters
@ the UN Human Rights Council – Geneva, Switzerland
March 9, 2016
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen,
Today, words are insufficient to express the excitement in me, for having this opportunity to speak in such a unique place and on this great occasion. It provides me with an important platform to speak out to you with an urgent call to end violence against children. In the countdown to 2030 we cannot afford to wait until tomorrow. It is high time to act now!
Today, I stand before you to underline the necessity to end violence against children worldwide, and to create a safe world, where children can live peacefully, play and laugh.
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, a safe world cannot be realized if we do not reflect on the yesterdays as a way of aiming for a better today and a successful tomorrow. We must learn from our mistakes in the past and correct them. I strongly believe that everyone must understand the consequences of violence on children. It will motivate and inspire people to act - to change the world.
Violence has serious and persistent impact on children. The effect of violence on a child is so catastrophic that it leaves scars for life. It creates fear and suffering in children. Violence comes in many forms and has different effects. Sexual violence leads to stigmatization; physical violence leads to body pain and creates fear; emotional or psychological violence can negatively affect a child's behavior. When you're a victim of violence it stays with you forever: it destroys your future.
Violence is a threat to genuine development. It is a bridge, which when broken, affects not only individuals (children) but properties and basic social services. The Syrian war has made millions of children to be refugees. It has also destroyed schools and hospitals, denying children the right to education and health care as well. Wars are forms of extreme violence. They do not only affect the fighting groups involved. They take away innocent lives (children).
Every child is confronted with violence - directly or indirectly. I experience violence every day. I see it in my community, in which I live. I see it in school. In my neighborhood, children are forced to work. At school, we are beaten and molested by teachers. I read about terrible acts of violence against children in newspapers and also see it on television.
I come from a small country in Africa where child protection is given a blind eye. I was born during the Liberian civil war; 14 yrs that were horrible and violence became the order of the day. I live in a community (called West Point) where children are openly abused and exploited. My community is a storehouse of ex-combatants. It is not strange to us in Liberia when a girl is raped, and when a boy is sexually harassed. Yes, it is not strange when a child is molested, abused and exploited.
Sexual abuse against children is very common and troubling in the oldest African Republic. Both boys and girls are victimized. Regrettably, sexual violence (rape) victims are mostly girls aged 4 to 16 years old. They account for an estimated 90% of the total annual number of rape cases. 
Every day, three children are raped in Liberia. In my community alone, I know at least 50 children that got abused. They are my friends, they are my neighbors, they are my sisters and brothers. And yet, no one is looking out for them. No one cares enough to give them justice.
Many more victims do not dare report their cases for fear of being killed by the perpetrators or rejected by their families and communities. The perpetrators are often not held accountable. Law enforcement officers get bribed to ignore the rights of child victims.
In 2007, a 13 yrs old girl Angel Togba was raped and strangulated to death. I felt compelled to act. I felt she could have been my sister or I could have been in her place. Therefore, at the age of 9, I joined my first peaceful protest to demand justice for children. All children can make a change, no matter where you are from.
Millions of children and I are faced with these unacceptable situations around the world. Sexual violence against children is a gross violation of children’s rights. Yet, it is a global reality across all countries and social groups. Globally, policies and legal frameworks protecting children do exist.
They look good on paper. But they are far from reality for us.
It makes me believe that the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child has not been given full attention by State parties that signed and ratified it.
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Every adult today experienced violence in some form while growing up as a child. These adults, including you, know that the consequences of violence are massive.
That is why it is High Time to end violence against children. Here and now.
It is High Time to make real the promises made to us. 
It is High Time to protect all of us, the world's children, particularly the most vulnerable.
I join the forces of good, the forces of non- violence to make the world a safe place for every child.
The sum of all forces will be zero. Zero violence!
Just join me -
Thank you.

December 20, 2016:

I had the privilege to serve as Guest Speaker during the induction ceremony of Officers - elect of the Student Council Government of the Christadelphian Meal A Day Academy in Logan Town, on the Bushrod Island.

It was a wonderful and inspiring experience to share my thoughts on the topic: "The Benefits of Student Activism in High Schools".

Invitation by Plan Liberia

It was an honor for me to have been invited as a Special Guest during the official launching of the new global logo and brand of Plan International Liberia yesterday (December 15, 2015). I am very glad to see myself working along with organizations like Plan International to protect the rights of children, to create awareness and support programs that seek to transform children's dignity.

(Assistant Minister for Administration/MICAT - Lynne Y. George Cassell; Plan International Liberia Acting Country Director - Dr. Ibrahim Oloriegbe; Chairman/NCYAB; Liberian Musician and Ebola Heroine - Emma Smith; Communications Manager/Plan International Liberia - Amb. Moses Owen Browne, and many other inspiring people were in attendance).

I was surprised to receive such a welcome from students from all around Liberia. This welcoming ceremony was organized by the Montserrado County Students Union. ‪#‎Kudos‬ to MONSU.

This only proves that over the years I have created followers and believers in my advocacy for the Rights of Children.

Acceptance Speech - ICPP 2015

“OUR CRY IS JUSTICE” Speech by Abraham M. Keita, VI Winner, International Children’s Peace Prize 2015 Held in the Hall of Knights, The Hague – Netherlands 

Dear Ladies and gentlemen, your excellencies, Children’s Peace Prize winners, 

As-Salaam-Alaikum: I like to begin this speech by firstly giving thanks and appreciation to the Almighty God for keeping me alive up to this period in history and to be awarded this year's Children’s Peace Prize. I also want to thank my Mother. I love you and I thank you for all you have done and continue to do for me. And to Mr. Vandalark Patricks, my mentor, I want to say thank you for nominating me for this prestigious award. 

I would like to extend my gratitude to the KidsRights Foundation family, especially the Expert Committee for selecting me as Winner for the 2015 International Children’s Peace Prize. I wholeheartedly accept this award for and on behalf of all the children around the world who are still victims of violence and conflict and yet cannot receive justice! 

To Aziza and Jeanesha, the other two finalists, I say to you we are all winners and I admire your courage and resilience in the fight for children's dignity in your home countries. I dedicate this award to all children around the world, specifically to the children of Liberia and especially the late Shaki Kamara, a 16 year old boy of the slum community of West Point. 

In August 2014, Shaki was murdered in cold blood by soldiers of the Liberian Military. The Liberian army opened fire on unarmed children and civilians who were peacefully protesting for food when they were unexpectedly quarantined during the Ebola crisis. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, may we all observe a brief moment of silence in reminiscence of late Shaki Kamara and all of those children in the world who suffered and continue to suffer injustice, violence and abuse. Thank you and may their souls rest in peace! 

I was born in 1998 in Liberia’s largest slum and ghetto – the densely populated community of West Point. West Point is home to over 70,000 hopeless and marginalized people; home to excombatants, home to the economically disadvantaged; and home to the sexually assaulted girls and women of Liberia. I was born during the Liberian civil war; a period that was horrible. During the war women and girls were raped and made sex-slaves. Boys were sodomized and made child-soldiers. Every Liberian starved of hunger. 

It was a period when humans were killed in thousands and their blood flowed like waters. In 2003, the civil unrest was finally brought to an end. We had hope that peace, respect for human dignity and hope for children would be restored. Sadly, that has not been the case as we still witness violence against the powerless in society day after day. Little Shaki Kamara was shot dead more than a year ago. But still today, there has been no justice as the perpetrators are freely living without any form of remorse. 

On this historic occasion, I want to appeal to your conscience to join the children of Liberia in ensuring that our government gives justice to all the children who have died as a result of violence. I am a victim of the war in Liberia and those memories will continue to live with me forever. My father, a driver by profession, was murdered in cold blood in 2003 by rebel forces when I was just five years old. My mom has been a widow since and we live in a slum where mosquitoes and cockroaches are our nearest neighbors. In our community, opportunities are lacking and poverty is spelled out on our faces. 

Let me say to you, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, slum communities are in darkness. I have long said that I want to be the “light-in-darkness” for children in West Point, Liberia and the world at large. To give light to the darkness, I joined the Children’s Parliament, wrote many petitions for children’s rights and lobbied with the government. I organized several peace marches to demand justice for children. Justice for children is much needed in Liberia. 

The frequency of violent acts, including sexual abuse against children is very troubling in the oldest African republic. Regrettably, the rape victims are mostly girls from 4 to 16 years of age. They account for 90% of the total number of rape cases. Every day, three children are raped in Liberia. Many victims do not dare report their cases for fear of being killed by the perpetrator or rejected by their families and community. The perpetrators are often not held accountable. Law enforcement officers are constantly bribed to ignore the rights of child victims. 

I hope to transform the lives of every child around the world. “I want to see a world where every crime against children is accounted for”. Justice should be given to children. I want to use this occasion to pay a special tribute to the thousands of children who have been made homeless and were killed in Syria. The war must come to an end, as the direct victims of the war are children. I also want to sympathize with the children of Yemen, and remind you of the over 200 Chibok school girls of Nigeria and the millions of children around the world who are victims of violent conflict. 

I want to remind our leaders today that children have the ability to move the world, if we are given the opportunity to achieve our full potential. Children have the undeniable weapon of boldness. And such boldness can result into benefits for the good of the family and the greater strength of a nation. All children can make a change, no matter where you are from. 

I come from the most forgotten slum community, called West Point. I am grateful and encouraged that from the slum a child can win this prize. That from the slum a child can make a difference; that from the slum, a child can speak out and his voice can be heard worldwide. 

Although I come from this forgotten slum community, I know that I can make a difference. I know that the slum doesn’t live in me. And I hope that me winning the International Children’s Peace Prize will bring some light in the darkness in the slums of Liberia, that it can be a symbol of hope for children who are suffering from violence. Violence must end now! Together, we can achieve this quest and make children in conflict zones smile again. 

But I need your support. You have all been children. Your graduation from this social status does not distinguish you from us. You are all alumni of childhood! I, therefore, invite you today on behalf of all the children in the world to stand up for children's rights and support programs that promote our dignity. Please support me to be the light in darkness for children! 

May Almighty God bless you all! I thank you

Boy from the slum wins highest award for Children

Abraham M. Keita from Liberia wins International Children’s Peace Prize 2015

09 November 2015

Seventeen-year old Abraham M. Keita from Liberia is the 2015 winner of the International Children’s Peace Prize. Today, he was presented with the prestigious award for demanding justice for children who are victims of physical or sexual violence, and for successfully campaigning for the Liberian parliament to adopt the Children’s Law. 

In the presence of the world press Keita received the Prize from Nobel Laureate Leymah Gbowee who in 2011 was the first Liberian to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for her nonviolent struggle for the safety of women and for women's rights to full participation in Liberia’s peace-building process. Gbowee said: “It is a great honour to award the Prize. It is very special and inspiring that Keita, already at such a young age, demands that perpetrators and would be perpetrators be held accountable. I recognise in him a true changemaker: fighting to end the extreme violence against children!”

In September, Nobel Peace Laureate Desmond Tutu, patron of KidsRights and the International Children’s Peace Prize, announced the nomination of Keita together with Aziza Rahim Zada from Afghanistan and Jeanesha Bou from Puerto Rico. Keita was nominated by SURE Liberia. Keita’s tireless work as a campaigner, bringing attention to crimes against children and campaigning until the perpetrators are locked away, stood out and convinced the jury. Keita also played a leading role in the Liberian Children’s Parliament where he successfully lobbied the Liberian Parliament to adopt the Children’s Law to protect children’s rights.

The KidsRights Youngsters, the group of winners of the International Children’s Peace Prize, which includes Nobel Peace Laureate Malala Yousafzai, congratulated Keita wholeheartedly:“We are happy to welcome Abraham to the Youngsters. Together we will continue the fight to improve children’s rights and advocate for an immediate end to violence against children.”

Upon receiving the Prize today, Keita confirmed that their work will continue: “Together with my peers I have successfully lobbied for children’s rights laws, but they now need to be put into practice. Children worldwide are still exposed to violence and injustice while thugs often go unpunished. I want people across the globe to acknowledge that this is unacceptable and that every world citizen, whether young or old, can be an agent of change.”

The International Children’s Peace Prize is an initiative of KidsRights, the foundation committed to defending children’s rights worldwide. The award ceremony is held annually in The Hague, the Netherlands, the international city of peace and justice.

KidsRights Report 2015 – The Silent Majority: Justice for child victims of violence
To celebrate the 11th Anniversary of the International Children’s Peace Prize, the KidsRights Foundation in association with Leiden University Law School has published the report The Silent Majority: Justice for child victims of violence. The comprehensive report focuses on the rights of children as victims of violence, and how justice can be achieved to offer these children opportunities to recover and reintegrate into society, and to prevent violence against children in the future. The report can be found here.

EDUCATION IS A RIGHT; NOT A PRIVILEGE: THE CONDITION OF THE STUDENTS AT THE DOLO'S TOWN PUBLIC SCHOOL IS INHUMANE AND UNACCEPTABLE

In Margibi County, precisely at the Dolo's Town Public School, on a county-tour as part of the GIVING HOPE TO CHILDREN FOUNDATION nationwide outreach to know and access the real issues affecting children in, mostly, rural Liberia. 

Sadly, at the Dolo's Town Public School, children are sitting on armless-chairs to write notes. In a modern era where human progress is determined by the environment and learning tools, yet children do not learn in a peaceful and supportive environment. They are still faced with the manacles of poverty and entangled in the difficulties of pursuing education.

Why should children in certain parts of Monrovia sit on arm chairs and children in Margibi County do not? This question requires an answer from us. We must all collectively work to change the unspeakable situations of children and youth in Liberia.

When will children in Lofa, Bong, Cape Mount, Nimba, Bomi, etc., have access to quality and adequate education just as children in Monrovia and other parts of the world?

Additionally, sex for grades is very rampant in schools nowadays in rural Liberia. Many students are left with the choice of sleeping with teachers or risk failing in certain subjects.

These are the tragedies that children experience daily in Liberia.

New Year's Children Party at West point

It is not so often for children to gather in the name of Party and also to interact with great personalities such as a Minister. Yesterday became a scene of joy when the Children of West Point had the opportunity to see the Minister of Education and a mentor George Kronnisanyon Werner, mentorVandalark Patricks - Head of SURE Liberia, my own big brother and a mentor Robert David G of ME1C2/LILFOC Foundation, big brother Amos Sawboh of ORPHAN CONCERN Liberia, and many other local government officials including the Commissioner of the Township of West Point - Sampson Nyan, who through their powerful remarks inspired me and the children who came for the party. .

GIVING HOPE TO CHILDREN FOUNDATION, established by Amb Abraham M. Keita, held its New Year Children's Party yesterday, January 1, 2016, in West Point to put smiles on the faces of children. The party, which brought together a little over 350 children from every aspect of West Point, was intended to stop children from leaving the community to go outside in search of another party just to have themselves entertained. The Minister of Education of the Republic of Liberia served as our Special Guest to motivate and inspire the children. We also had inspirational remarks from other invited guests as mentioned earlier, including the Head of the West Point Women Health and Development Association - Madam Nellie Cooper and Mr. Archealous Nagbe - the West Point Child Welfare Committee chairman.

Special thanks to my mother Hon Munah E Pelham-Youngblood for the level of support and commitment she gave to ensure that the party be successful. You have always been there since I was growing up and providing guidance for me and the Foundation. I love you so so much.

The NY Children's Party would not have been possible if these hard working members of GIHOC Foundation, Ousman Logic Kallay, Aloysius Shagi Wesseh, Mohammed B. Kromah and Sekou M. Keita, had not worked so hard and in time. Their energy and resources used in getting the children to the party will never go unrecognized. God will richly bless you all.

Thank you Minister George Kronnisanyon Werner, Robert David G & entourage, and Amos Sawboh for leaving other activities just to be with the children in West Point. You are all my mentors. Above all, you are passionate. To our Minister of Education, you continue to prove to me and the GIHOC Foundation family that you are humble and will always be there to stand with us in changing the situations of children in Liberia.

Many thanks to my own biological mother, step - mothers, aunties and their friends for preparing the foods and drinks.

To the children of West Point and Liberia at large, GIHOC Foundation loves you and cares about your well - being. GIHOCF was founded for children, and by children.

As member of the KidsRights Youngsters and a winner of the International Children's Peace Prize, I will remain in the vanguard for protection of the rights of children and to change their conditions globally. Not forgetting about Cindy de Visser, Laura Lasance, Ellen Vroonhof and the KidsRights Foundation based in the Netherlands for the support and mentorship they continue to provide me.