COFO Rolls Out Counseling Program for Children

Malunga Malunga - pic by Christopher Sande

A local organization in Chikwawa has rolled out a counselling program targeting youth and children to remain focused after the closure of school due to COVID 19.

Executive Director of Community Forum Organization, COFO Mr Joshua Malunga told Zodiak on Monday that they are mainly focusing on drilling children on their rights and responsibility, so that when schools open, all learners should be in school.

He said it is very unfortunate that some children have taken advantage of the COVID 19 holiday to do nasty behaviors which can land them into trouble.

"We are currently targeting children around Dyeratu and Chikwawa boma. As COFO, we are also shocked by some few cases of child prostitution," complained Malunga.

The Executive Director added that they are also engaging parents and other community leaders to promote child protection issues.

"It is a responsibility of every leader to halt child abuses. We want all learners to go back to school after the Covid 19 break," he said.

COFO's intervention comes when there are fears that the closure of schools will likely fuel unplanned pregnancies and forced child marriages in the district.

During the COVID 19 school holiday last year, over 11,000 dropped out of school.

Read 1632 times
Login to post comments
Go to top
JSN Time 2 is designed by JoomlaShine.com | powered by JSN Sun Framework