About our Champions' Network
So They Can invests in a dedicated network of volunteers who advocate access to quality education in their local communities.
Known as our Champions’ Network, they are dedicated mothers and fathers who are the go-to in their villages for all child rights matters.
In Kenya and Tanzania every school community has at least 2 Champions.
About the initiative
Who is a Champion?
A Champion is a local parent or community member with exceptional qualities:
- Committed to quality inclusive education, and child rights
- Embedded as a respected member of their local community
- Non-discriminatory, and serve all community members regardless of their sex, religion, ethnicity or any other status
- A skilled communicator, who can engage with people of all ages and backgrounds
- Able to build trust and rapport
Zainabu is one of So They Can's Champions located in Babati District, Tanzania. As a mother of 4, she feels strongly about ensuring parents and the community are educated and uphold children's’ rights.
"I became a Champion in 2020 after witnessing too many cruel acts against children in my community. Being a champion I want to ensure that the community gets the right education and stops acts of violence against children, especially sexual violence".
What does a Champion do?
The primary role of a Champion is to proactively advocate for children, and ensure that every child in their community is attending school. Their work includes:
- Community sensitisation on the importance of education
- Working in schools to implement So They Can’s education projects
- Linking stakeholders to remove any barriers that are preventing children from attending school
- Challenging harmful cultural norms - such as child marriage, female genital cutting (FGC), child labor - through ongoing community awareness campaigns and events
- Being a safe and confidential point of call for children in desperate situations e.g. girls escaping child marriage or FGC
- Escalating child rights violations to relevant law enforcement
Prioritising child protection
In Tanzania, aligned with the Government’s new National Guidelines for Child Protection and Security Desks In and Out of School (2022), additional measures are expected to include:
- Formal recognition by the Government of their role;
- Registration of a Champion’s home as a ‘Safe Home’ in the community;
- Specialised training in guidance and counselling.
In Kenya, So They Can has established a Child Rights Club in every partner school. The clubs, which are run by students and overseen by a teacher who is a Club Patron, raise awareness on child rights within schools and ensure that violations are detected and reported.
They are equipped to respond quickly, with access to a range of local resources to:
- Facilitate school-based trainings
- Conduct family consultations (on a needs-basis)
- Attend regular community meetings
- Engage formal support such as the Police Gender Desks, Social Workers
- Share regular feedback, including monthly reports, with So They Can
Our Champions are easily recognisable in their communities, with their So They Can branded t-shirts. In Kenya a monthly stipend of KSH 3,000 (AUD $34) supports their activities. In Tanzania Champions can access small loans for income-generation activities.
The network was first formed by So They Can in 2020, prompted by the need for community-based health messaging during school closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Now, aligned with our child rights programming approach, it is children that actively select the Champions in their school community, to be trained by national trainers on their roles and responsibilities.
As the focal point in their community, a Champion is the critical connector between all of the various education stakeholders.
Meet Margaret
A Champion Mother in East Pokot - Baringo County, Kenya
‘I am passionate about helping children. Having been a school representative at AIC Sunrise Primary School, I was eager to get more involved, so I became a Champion Mother.’
A mother of 8 children (4 girls, and 4 boys) Margaret knows the value of education and has ensured that all of her children go to school
She loves to see her own children, and the children in her community, succeed in life. 2 of her children are in school, in Grade 4 and 8, and one child is joining college.
‘Since I became a Champion Mother I have been able to rescue teenage mothers and get them re enrolled in school. I regard it as my biggest achievement and I hope to assist more young mothers. I am dedicated to sensitising the members of my community on the importance of education.’