Governmental officials are using their power and influence for positive change in the lives of Pakistani children as a result of the Children's Congress organized in November by World Vision. At the event, some 1,000 Pakistani children from 16 villages in Oghi Tehsil advocated for their basic rights, particularly their right to education.

'I acknowledge the rights of these children and assure you that being a government representative, I will take their voice to the government's councils,' said Muhammad Sadiq, junior mayor of Oghi Tehsil.

'Children are our future asset and we must look after them,' said Hafeez Ur Rehman, an educational government official.

Government officials, teachers, and representatives from Parent Teacher Councils, community based organizations, health committees, and partner organizations attended the event at the Islamic Orient Academy in Oghi, 35 km northwest of Mansehra city, Pakistan's North West Frontier Province.


'We invited the Earthquake Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Agency (ERRA) to increase their awareness of children who are without school buildings and are going to school under the open sky. In response, ERRA is taking time to issue non-objection certificates to World Vision to reconstruct schools in targeted villages. This action is tremendous progress, as it will expedite the reconstruction process of schools,' said Malik Akhtar, World Vision's project coordinator for education in Oghi.

'The Congress gathered children from 19 schools in order for them to learn from each other's experiences and advocate for their rights before government officials and other representatives who make decisions that affect their lives,' said Lydia Mutimbanyoka, Integrated Programme Manager, Oghi Area Development Program.

The children advocated against offenses such as child labor, early marriage and discrimination, and promoted their rights to education, health and freedom of expression.

'As a result of this event, parents learned about their children's basic rights. This was a huge step towards sustainable development in the area, since children are active participants in a community's prosperity,' said Irum Gillani, Community Development Officer, Oghi Area Development Program.

In Oghi and other parts of the North West Frontier Province, children work in the fields with their parents or in hotels to support their families. Moreover, schools are frequently either out of reach or inadequately staffed. Their suffering was compounded by the 2005 earthquake, which strained or destroyed existing structures that provided for children's basic rights.


'We are aware of our basic rights,' said Noman Ali, a fifth grade student attending one of the 130 schools in Oghi where World Vision trains children on disaster mitigation and emergency first aid. World Vision conducts these trainings in order to empower children to be active participants in their communities and wellbeing.

'It is necessary that children express themselves regarding their rights,' says Kehkashan Mufti, Programme Officer of Oghi Area Development Program.

In addition to championing their own rights, children are learning to advocate for development issues such health and hygiene promotion, drug abuse and early childhood care through World Vision-organized teams of youth called Child Brigades.

In 2007, World Vision worked to restore the livelihoods of 2,500 families in Oghi by improving community based infrastructure, water supply schemes, roads, latrines, animal shelters, agriculture and livestock practices.