What is WAF doing in Africa?

In addition, our African staff has identified the following as a priority focus for 2008.

Empowerment Conference: Child Defilement

Child defilement ….. the sexual assault of a child, often by a relative or guardian, is an especially prevalent problem in Zambia. In the work of World Advocacy Foundation (WAF) in Lusaka and rural communities, the issue was identified as a significant problem for our cross cultural advocates in their work with children. We consider it vitally important to do our part in eradicating this horrific problem, and bring help and healing to the many young victims.

The following links will give you more information on the statistics, studies of abuse, and ways Zambia is responding.

In August 2007, WAF hosted the first in a series of Empowerment Conferences in Lusaka, specifically addressing child defilement in a training workshop-type format. The two-day conference gave participants an open forum to learn and discuss their child defilement working situations, and methods of helping the children heal, both physically and emotionally. A team of graduate psychology students from the U.S. partnered with a team of Zambian professionals including the director of the National Legal Aid Clinic for Women, a policewoman, a social worker, a child psychologist/nurse and counseling pastors to address the issue from the legal, psychological, emotional, and physical perspectives. Using powerful presentations, break-out sessions, drama, and personal testimony of former victims, WAF was able to train over 100 Zambians to effectively identify, report and follow up with the child victims they encounter in their work.

The workshop participants included teachers, non-profit staffers, social workers, youth workers, sports club coaches and church pastors. The overwhelming response of the attendees was positive. They enjoyed learning about the similar issue and yet different methods of response in the U.S. They learned from the Zambian professionals, and took home tools to help them with police reports, legal aid, psychological help and medical care for victims. They wanted more than two days. They wanted a hands-on teaching practicum added to the two-day learning format where they would go out into shanty compounds and slums to educate and teach their fellow Zambians. They wanted to build a network within the group to help support each other in the difficult work ahead. They showed us that a good work has begun, but we have much more to do in the fight against child defilement in Zambia.

With a goal of supporting the work of three of our Zambian cross cultural advocates, in addressing a common problem they face, we were successful. In educating a hundred more, we were ecstatic. In looking ahead to what a difference a seemingly small effort can make, we are encouraged to go bigger, go further, help more.

World Advocacy Foundation is currently planning to develop an ongoing program based on the fight against child defilement in Zambia. If you would like more information, please contact us.

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What is WAF doing in Africa?

Empowerment Conference: Child Defilement

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