22-12-2020 | di COOPI

Chad. COOPI promotes the inclusion and protection of vulnerable children

For 2020-2021 school year, COOPI – Cooperazione Internazionale organised refresher courses in the field of inclusion and protection of vulnerable children addressed to educational institutions in the Lake Province, Chad, through the project "Support for inclusive and quality education and protection of displaced and local children affected by the Lake Chad crisis" funded by the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO).

From the 1st to the 24th September 2020, 252 people belonging to community associations - Mothers' Associations of Students, Parents' Associations of Students and Community Protection Networks - were trained in awareness-raising techniques related to inclusion, social cohesion, peaceful coexistence, child protection, gender-based violence and the schooling of children, particularly girls.

These meetings aim to equip community leaders with the necessary knowledge to enable them to conduct awareness-raising sessions on the multiple issues in their villages. The same knowledge will enable them to refer serious cases to the appropriate facilities for diagnosis and treatment.

"The involvement of community actors is a guarantee of ownership and sustainability of these activities," explains Brian Menelet, COOPI's Head of Mission in Chad, "especially when they are widely recognised and respected representatives within the communities. The creation and integration of self-help groups for children is a key component in the implementation of this project".

COOPI has been engaged in the Lake Chad region in the protection sector since 2013, for example through the creation of transition and reception centres capable of providing a safe home for children who have left armed groups and/or are unaccompanied minors, while waiting to be reunited with their families. Also it pays a special attention to girls who are exposed to the risk of abuse and early marriage.