Interactive learning is a voluntary experience sharing
session between Juveniles and guided by technical persons. It broadens the
juveniles’ knowledge on various aspects of life for better living. Most often they are held in form of open
debates/dialogues on issues like; guidance and counseling, justice system, children
rights and child protection and other pertinent issues as maybe suggested by
the Juveniles during the session.
Through its IDF funded project, “Promotion of child rights
through advocacy, legal support and education” Companionship of Works Association (COWA) has been able to support and
transform the lives of many juveniles in Wakiso district. This has been made
possible through the routine interactive learning sessions conducted at Rehabilitation
Centres like Naguru Remand Home. Since December 2013 to June 2014, COWA has
been able to conduct 4 interactive learning sessions and reach over 400
children. During these sessions the juveniles shared experience, and
were also sensitized on key issues such as Court procedures concerning their
cases, and the need for reconciliation with the people/community they offended.
During some sessions, the juveniles were oriented on some life skills in areas of their interest, with the hope that
this will empower them economically in future and prevent them from committing
crimes (like theft) that would get them remanded
back.
These learning sessions have helped in empowering children on
issues concerning child rights and protection, the judicial system and life
skills. On the other hand, some children have been encouraged and facilitated to
reconcile with the people they offended; as the first step to correcting their
lives and paying for their faults:
Kasibante Daniel (not
real names) aged 17 years is one of the juveniles who attended the interactive
learning sessions. During one of the
sessions titled “Despite the care given
to us children, what fails us” and after watching the film “Unconditional”, Joseph was touched and
challenged to seek audience with his family and apologize for wronging them.
COWA spearheaded this process and Joseph met his family, he apologized for his
wrong deeds and asked to be pardoned. The family forgave him and accepted him
back, pledging to work with him on his release.
At one of the other sessions about business management,
juveniles shared on identifying marketable trades in Uganda. They mentioned
hair dressing, motorbike repair and maintenance, brick laying and concrete
practice, and carpentry as their areas of interest and they were briefed on the
benefits and risks involved with each; but left it up to individuals to choose
their areas of interest. Following the sharing on business management, seventeen (17) year old William Bwiire (not
real names) of Kazo village, Nabweru Sub County, Wakiso district identified motorbike
repair and maintenance as his area of interest and future area of focus. When
William left Naguru Remand Home in December 2013, he together with COWA shared
the issue with his parents who did not hesitate to support him in acquiring
practical skills. William enrolled for
training at Dembe and Kalule Kasimu garage located in Bwaise and acquired knowledge
and skills in motorbike repair and maintenance; and due to his hard work and
commitment, Dembe and Kalule Kasimu garage retained him as their employee. William is now a changed and responsible boy.
He earns one hundred thousand shillings monthly
from which he is able to take care of his financial needs. He is happy with his
current life. “I am grateful to COWA for conducting and facilitating the
interactive learning sessions from which i learnt so much that has transformed
my life socially, spiritually and economically. I do not regret the time i
spent there because to me it was a time for learning and shaping my future. With
continued support from COWA i am certain that many other juveniles will be
transformed into better people.” William asserts.
These and many other testimonies from the juveniles in and
out of the Remand Homes have caused the promotion and realization of children’s
rights; one of the key human rights aspects that IDF focuses on, in contributing
to the attainment of Human rights observance in Uganda.
