Children's Forum Network S/L Kono District

16/06/2025

Children’s Forum Network (CFN) – School Sensitization at ISSK on the Day of the African Child

On June 16, 2025, members of the Children’s Forum Network (CFN), in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, carried out a school sensitization session at Islamic Junior Secondary School (ISSK) to commemorate the Day of the African Child.

This important day is observed annually across the continent in honor of the hundreds of schoolchildren who were killed or injured during the 1976 Soweto Uprising in South Africa, where they marched in protest against poor-quality education and the imposition of Afrikaans as the medium of instruction. It is a day to reflect on the progress made and the challenges that remain in the promotion and protection of children's rights in Africa.

The sensitization focused on:

The historical significance of the Day of the African Child and why it remains a powerful reminder of the importance of youth voices and access to quality education.

The rights of children as outlined in the Child Rights Act of 2007, including the right to education, protection, participation, survival, and development.

Key child protection issues such as child abuse, early marriage, child labor, and gender-based violence—along with the role of schools, communities, and authorities in addressing these challenges.

CFN members engaged students in interactive discussions, presentations, and Q&A sessions, encouraging them to understand their rights and responsibilities. Pupils were also empowered to speak up against injustice and to be advocates for themselves and their peers.

We express our sincere gratitude to Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs for their unwavering support in promoting children’s welfare. Today’s event not only commemorated a significant moment in African history but also served as a call to action to ensure every child’s voice is heard, and every child’s right is respected.

22/03/2025

CFN Weekly Meeting Update – March 22, 2025

The Children’s Forum Network (CFN) held its weekly meeting on March 22, 2025, at the Ministry of Gender and Children's Affairs, Koidu City, Kono District.

Key Discussions:

Child Protection Issues: Members highlighted concerns such as child labor, neglect, and exploitation, calling for stronger community involvement and awareness campaigns.

Rising Drug Abuse Among Children: The growing issue of substance abuse among children was discussed, with calls for anti-drug awareness programs, parental guidance, and rehabilitation support.

Plumpy’Nut Distribution: CFN members received Plumpy’Nut, a therapeutic food donated by World Vision Sierra Leone through the Ministry of Gender and Children's Affairs, to help combat child malnutrition.

Way Forward:

CFN committed to strengthening child protection efforts and engaging local authorities to address these issues. The next meeting is scheduled for March 29, 2025.

Warm Regards:
Children’s Forum Network (CFN), Kono District

08/03/2025

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY

Today, we honor the strength, resilience, and brilliance of women around the world. From breaking barriers to leading change, women continue to shape our future with courage and compassion.

Let’s celebrate the achievements of women in every sphere of life — and continue to work towards a world where equality, respect, and opportunity are a reality for all.

To the women who inspire us, support us, and challenge us to be better: thank you.

Here’s to empowering each other, lifting every voice, and creating a future where everyone thrives.

15/02/2025

REPORT ON THE JUST-CONCLUDED CAMPAIGN

Title: Valentine's Not for Kids
Date: 10th – 14th February 2025
Location: Koidu City, Sierra Leone

Introduction

The Valentine's Not for Kids campaign was a week-long sensitization program conducted in Koidu City from February 10th to 14th, 2025. The campaign aimed to educate school pupils on the importance of prioritizing their education over irresponsible Valentine's Day celebrations. The initiative targeted young students, encouraging them to focus on their academic goals and personal development rather than being distracted by premature relationships and peer pressure.

Activities and School Visits

Throughout the campaign, the team visited seven different schools and four radio stations within Koidu City. The schools included:

1. Islamic Junior and Senior Secondary School

2. Koidu Girls Secondary School

3. Eastern Moral Academy

4. Global Education Academy

5. Municipal Secondary School

6. Ansarul Islamic Girls Secondary School

7. IAMTEC Secondary School

At each school, interactive sessions were held, including discussions, presentations, and question and answer segments. The students were sensitized on the negative impact of early relationships, peer pressure, and distractions associated with Valentine's Day celebrations. The speakers emphasized the importance of education, self-discipline, and goal-setting.

Radio Engagement

In addition to school visits, the campaign featured 4 radio session where members of CFN discussed the significance of responsible behavior among students. The radio discussion allowed for wider community engagement, reaching parents, teachers, and students beyond those directly participating in the school programs.

Student Participation

A key highlight of the campaign was the active participation of the school pupils. As part of the program, students from the various schools recorded short video messages advising their peers to take their education seriously and avoid distractions during Valentine's Day. These videos were shared on social media and played on local platforms to amplify the message across a broader audience.

Conclusion

The Valentine's Not for Kids Campaign successfully achieved its objective of raising awareness among school pupils in Koidu City. The enthusiastic participation of students, and teachers demonstrated the importance of the message. By focusing on education and self-development, the campaign encouraged
young learners to make informed decisions and resist societal pressures that could negatively impact their future.


# OurChildrenOurPride


Best Regards
District Secretary General.

12/02/2025

'S FORUM NETWORK KONO DISTRICT.. UPDATE ON THE VALENTINE NOT FOR KIDS CAMPAIGN #.

As part of our ongoing "Valentine’s Not for Kids" campaign, today marks Day 3 of our awareness efforts. Members of the Children’s Forum Network Kono visited Global Education Academy and Municipal Secondary School in Koidu City, engaging students in meaningful discussions on the importance of safeguarding childhood and promoting positive youth development.

At CFN Kono,we remain committed to safeguarding the future of young people by promoting awareness, advocating for their rights and fostering responsible behavior.Together, let's celebrate Valentine's Day in a way that Protects and Uplits Children!

11/02/2025

Update on the "Valentine's Not for Kids" Campaign – CFN Kono Chapter

Today marks Day 2 of the Valentine's Not for Kids campaign in Kono District. The Children's Forum Network (CFN) Kono Chapter visited Eastern Moral Academy to educate pupils about the risks associated with irresponsible Valentine's Day celebrations.

The President emphasized the importance of prioritizing education, highlighting how teenage pregnancy often leads to school dropouts and early marriage. The District Secretary General also addressed common misconceptions about Valentine's Day, urging teenagers to avoid risky behaviors and instead focus on self-respect and academic success.

This initiative encouraged children to reflect on relationships, respect, and self-love. CFN Kono remains committed to safeguarding the future of young people through awareness, advocacy, and the promotion of responsible behavior.

Let’s celebrate Valentine’s Day in a way that protects and uplifts children.





Regards,
Children's Forum Network, Kono District

10/02/2025

As we continue with the campaign,we are also curious about children's views and advices to their colleagues across the District.Here is an advice from the Head Girl of Koidu Girls Secondary School, Koidu City,Kono District.
Children's protection is our top-notch priority.
not for kids Campaign
's Protection
Solid foundation

10/02/2025

10/02/2025

*Children’s Forum Network – Kono District*

*Update on the Valentine's Not for Kids Campaign*

On February 10, 2025, the Children’s Forum Network (CFN) Kono officially joined the national *Valentine's Not* *for Kids campaign* . This initiative aims to protect children from early exposure to relationships and activities that are inappropriate for their age, while reinforcing positive values, self-respect, and the importance of education.

As part of our engagement, we visited Koidu Girls' Secondary School and Islamic Junior & Senior Secondary School in Kono District to raise awareness among students. We highlighted the potential risks associated with the irresponsible observance of Valentine’s Day, including peer pressure, unhealthy relationships, school dropouts, and social stigmatization.

Our discussions emphasized that childhood should be a time for learning, personal growth, and character development rather than engaging in adult-centered celebrations. We encouraged students to make informed choices, prioritize their education, and embrace self-worth over societal pressures.

At CFN Kono, we remain committed to safeguarding the future of young people by promoting awareness, advocating for their rights, and fostering responsible behavior. Together, let’s celebrate Valentine’s Day in a way that protects and uplifts children!

# ValentinesNotForKids



Regards,
Children’s Forum Network – Kono District.

25/09/2024

*CHILDREN'S FORUM NETWORK - KONO CHAPTER.*

*UPDATE ON THE MEETING WITH THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION REGARDING THE ISSUE OF CHILDREN THAT SHOULD WRITE THE WEST AFRICA SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION (WASSCE) COME NOVEMBER, 2024.*

The Executive of the Children's Forum Network - kono district visited the Deputy Director of Education on the 24th of September, 2024.
*The purpose of the visit was to discuss key issues relating to the West Africa Senior Schools Certificate Examination Examination (WASSCE) scheduled for November, 2024.*

During the engagement, the executive of the Children's Forum Network- Kono Chapter asked the Deputy Director *"why some candidates were unable to write the June, 2024 West Africa Senior Schools Certificate Examination (WASSCE) even when their names were captured during the entry process?.*

The government also assured those candidates whose names were captured but do not write the exam due to unavoidable reasons that, they will be giving the opportunity to write the exam in November, 2024. And even as that, not all the names were sent to the affected schools. So why not all the names from those affected schools but few?

*In respond to the above questions,*
The Deputy Director made it clear that, those names captured for June, 2024 West Africa Senior Schools Certificate Examination (WASSCE) that were unable to write the exam was as a result of some key factors which includes;
* *Late entry process by principals.*
* *Failure to upload CASH MARKS and*
* *Unqualified result sent by those affected schools.*

He further explained the importance of the CASH MARKS which is use to capture the database of pupils for West Africa Senior Schools Certificate Examination (WASSCE) while in S.S.S ll and thereafter those names captured in the system will be the qualified ones to write the exam when they might have promoted S.S.S lll.

Moreover, he also talked about the new strategies they have put in place for this year's West Africa Senior Schools Certificate Examination (WASSCE) system. He said a lot of pupils will not take the exams again because of the following reasons stated below:
1. *There is only space for candidates that have sat to the Basic Education Certificate Examination for 2021 and 2022. Below or above the stated academic year candidates will not be opportune to write the exams.*

2. *If even you took the exam around the years stated above, you must have gotten a correct Basic Education Certificate Examination result which contains five(5) passing subjects including English or Mathematics.Failing to have this again might be a reason for Candidates not to write the West Africa Senior Schools Certificate Examination.*

In conclusion, he told us that, the government is doing all of this to strengthen and enhance *Free and Quality Educational System for all children in our beloved country.* He also assured us that as Ministry Heads, they will be *embarking on school tour within the District to educate pupils about this new strategies they have put in place so far.*

Our hard working Deputy Director and his team are really trying and we acknowledge and appreciate them so far for all they are doing in the educational sector.

*It was indeed a successful meeting held, and we appreciate the Education Office here in Kono for always giving us listening ears and receiving us with open arms whenever we need them.*

Education for every child for a better tomorrow is what we all strive for.
*Laying a Solid Foundation.*

*Best regards,*
Abigail Lebbie
*District Secretary.*

24/09/2024

*Notice‼ Notice ‼Notice ‼*

Greetings my people!
Hope we are all doing great.

I am writing to inform our favorite listeners that the Children's Forum Network- Kono Chapter has *officially resumed it's weekly radio programs* that was closed because of the holiday session.

We want to encourage our listeners to continue listening to our programs as meaningful topics shall be discuss by our beloved Children in the District, and your own contributions towards our programs will help combat challenges we the children are facing in the district.

*The following are the various stations,time and days for our programs:*

*Sunday:* Sierra Leone Broadcasting Cooperation - 90.2
*From 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm*

*Tuesday:* People's Radio - 99.3
*From 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm*

*Thursday:* Eastern Community Radio - 96.5
*From 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm*

*Friday:* Voice of Sandor - 95.7
*From 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm.*

*And for those out of the district, you can visit our page to watch and follow us live.*

*Thanks for always *contributing to our programs and hope it will continue*

*Best regards*
District Secretary General
*Abigail Lebbie*

*Approved by*
District president*
*Christiana Kaminty*

22/09/2024

*NOTICE❗ NOTICE❗NOTICE❗*

*CHILDREN'S FORUM NETWORK ~KONO CHAPTER*

I bring you greetings from the Executive of the Children's Forum Network Kono Chapter.Hope our Darling members are doing great and have had a great holiday.

I am writing to inform the general membership of the Children's Forum Network Kono that *our general membership meeting which was closed due to uncontrollably circumstances,has being officially resumed on the 22nd September,2024.*

We are encouraging all our members cut across the District to be *part of this Saturday(29) coming meeting at our usually meeting spot 112 Yardu Road,Koidu City.*

Hoping to see you all there and on time.*Interestingly,we shall be giving gifts to the first set of members that will be at our meeting spot on time.*

Best regards

Composed by District Secretary
Abigail Lebbie

Approved by District President
Christiana Kaminty

*Laying a solid foundation