The YHN/SSNCEF/CRARN Pastors' Parley on Child Witch Hunting in Akwa-Ibom State

The target was barely reached despite the efforts intensified at mobilization. But those that attended the parley really, really, let us into the basics that have informed many of the childwitch hunting cases. Of the 28 selected pastors (our target was 30), about twenty-four believe in the existence of child-witches, about 69% wont mind to openly proclaim them as witches (if necessary); 25% wont do open proclamation and 10% will only do "what they have to do depending on the condition).

Thanks to Stepping Stones Nigeria UK and Humanist Action for Human Rights, Norway for the support

What else are we involved in?

The Young Humanistas Network (YHN) is a non-governmental and non-political organisation dedicated to six life-changing focuses, namely:
• Humanist Against Witch Killing and Stigmatization (HAWK)
• Anti-Ritual Killing Campaign (ARIC)
• Sexual Minorities Support Project (SEMSUP)
• Anti-Corporal Punishment Advocacy (ANCOPA)
• The Secular Nigeria Project (SENIP) –
(Secular Youth Leadership Training and Secularism Ideals Advocacy)
• Street Children Care and Empowerment Programme (SCHCEP)

Board of Trustees (2009/2010)
*Prof. O.B. Lawuyi - Chairman
*Olusegun Olukayode Olowu - Member
*Olanrewaju Austin Awofeso - Member
*Oyewole T. Taiwo - Member
*Temidayo David Oladipo - Secretary
*Adeyemi Johnson Ademowo - Project Director

HAWK Project Onna Town Hall Meeting: Another eye opener on the menace

Our mission in Onna Kingdom of Akwa Ibom State was planned to echo a development intervention guideline that advise gauging of local understanding of issues, ideals and beliefs to ensure the success of any intervention project.
This mantra guided us at Onna as we deliberated on a lot of issues related to our theme: How can we tackle this child witch-hunting menace together.

One of the definitions of a witch by the Onna people, of Akwa Ibom State was:
"a group of people or persons that do not want others to progress";
another was:
"the wickedness in high places that enters into people that make them do evil".

Next, we asked them to list the top five richest persons in Onna; and also to list the recently stigmatized child-witches; next we asked them if there was any of the children of these wealthy men in the list of the alleged witches. The answer was "NO!"
So, we asked: "Why are the children of the rich, influential and well educated, not witches?" This questions gingered responses that made the deliberations a fruitful one.

Sure, these definitions and other revelations will help formulate better advocacy/intervention projects in 2010 (Thanks to HAMU, Norway)

New arrival, Emman and the big sisters' welcome

Although abandoned by parents for being initiated into witchcraft, he was rescued from the bush-path in the Oruko area where he was left to be killed by hunger. Arriving at CRARN Center, he met new friends and big sisters who are ready to take care of him just like Caroline (see her new radiant looking pix below)