Interview of Laudolino Carlos Medina, Director of AMIC

SSI: Guinea-Bissau is one of the first countries to have joined the WAN in 2005. What was the situation at that time?

L. C. Medina: Our organisation, AMIC, was the only organisation in 2004-2005 to worry about children moving between Guinea-Bissau and other countries of the sub-region, mainly children victims of trafficking. Nothing existed to combat the phenomenon, neither from the side of the state nor from other organisations. When we had the first contacts with the "West Africa Programme", which later became "West Africa Network for the Protection of Children" (WAN), we immediately joined the initiative.

During the pilot phase, we set up a reception center and transit point for these children, who often went to a Koranic learning in Senegal, but ended up begging on the streets of Dakar ... We have sometimes been accused of fighting against the Muslim religion, but people have finally realised the merits of our approach and methodology used by WAN, centered on the child regardless of religion or race.

Thus was born a national committee to fight against trafficking, which still operates today and is now chaired by government authorities. It is an organ of consultation and decision involving the State, NGOs and Islamic organisations.

SSI: What are the issues that include the term "children on the move" in Guinea-Bissau?

Most of these children are talibés (Koranic learning), forced to beg for a living. In Dakar (Senegal), imagine that 30% of children beggars (approx. 7000) come from Guinea-Bissau! There are also, this time with us, in Bissau, small vendors and shoeshine boys, who come mainly from Guinea Conakry. They are average 8 to 16 years ...

Moreover; there is the phenomenon of maids, young people who go into the cotton or peanuts farms in Senegal, small weavers of clothes, etc... Besides, forced marriages where girls are sometimes sold as a dowry.

SSI: What has been done since 2005, what has been achieved? And what is the current situation?

Much has been achieved through our participation in WAN! In particular, we established a training program for all key players, such as members of the National Guard, including the Border Guard, and also traditional and religious leaders.

Since the problem was recognised by the state, things are changing, thanks to new laws... but it must be said that much remains to be done because the state is really present only in major centers...

Several structures, including three reception centers are now operational, which make the reception conditions of these children greatly improved. We are now a true coalition of organisations who have at heart the welfare of children in distress.

Today, we also entered a phase of prevention. AMIC is very active in this area, by a weekly radio program on a national channel, publication of comic strips, manuals, posters, performances by theatrical troops, all in order to raise awareness about this issue.

Today, the problem is not only international, eg between Guinea-Bissau and Senegal, but also between major cities of our country. We plan to do soon an inventory of needs in this area and see what the solutions to this new challenge are.

Future prospects

SSI: What is the specific contribution of WAN faced with this problem?

Obviously an important aspect is financial support, which enabled us and still allows us to have greater stability in our work: we have solved our logistical problems and incremented our team (we now have 9 employees working directly within the network, plus numerous volunteers), which allows us to focus on the basics: helping children! Other partners also joined us.

But the real specificity of WAN is its methodology. It is very effective and has brought tangible results. We were able to reintegrate into their families about 400 children, with a real project for rehabilitation and training, and a personalised follow-up over several years. This is something!

SSI: Precisely, what happens to children once they return home? Are there re-starts?

Reintegration projects, which include in many cases the whole village, can greatly limit recidivism, the aim being to provide effective training and future prospects for children. To give an example: we have identified seven villages that had a high mobility of children. We have organised and trained a management committee and elaborate community agricultural projects, supported precisely by WAN.

Products are sold to benefit, on the one hand, a community fund to purchase school supplies, pay a local Koranic teacher or a teacher, etc.., and on the other to support families themselves.

SSI: Accompanying these children and young people in their home is then crucial...

Yes, and the answer we give must be holistic, encompass all aspects of the lives of these children. Have a good law is not everything; it must address issues of health, education, not forgetting the awareness of the majority of the people!

Interview by Marc Aellen

Read the report about the hearing of Mr. Medina by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child