Lead writer: Mogbonjubade Adesulure
Adamu*, a father, farmer, and retired teacher, shares how the Safe Family Session supported more open and positive relationships between parents and children in his community. Read more
Adamu* is a father, a farmer and a retired teacher, who also rears animals. In his community, there were strains in parent-child communication; people had issues relating to their children. In some households, children were afraid to approach their fathers or ask for help.
Among our people, it is rare for a child to freely approach their father. Many children were afraid to ask their fathers for anything. - Adamu*
Things began to change after Save the Children Nigeria engaged him and others in his community in the “Safe Family Session".
Adamu* and his daughters Mogbonjubade/Save the Children
The safe family session is tailored towards building stronger relationships between children and their parents/caregivers. This includes working with children, fathers, mothers, caregivers, and communities to transform gender norms, power dynamics and accepted practices that drive violence in the home. It also involves working with governments to strengthen systems and mechanisms that increase children’s protection.
But after the organization came and enlightened us during the lecture... things changed. Parents now call their children to talk and listen to their problems. We achieved great progress. We now relate with our children like friends. If a child is sick, he can now approach his father and say, “I have a fever; I need medicine.” Before, such things did not happen... Truly, this is a great improvement. There is nothing we can say except: thank you, thank you very much... Adamu
Adamu and his girls Mogbonjubade/Save the Children
The women also benefited from a female mentor who guided them, and this helped improve child care. Mothers now understand their children's needs better. The organization also supported our school children with books, bags, and writing materials. This reduced the burden on us when sending children to school. The support covered both primary and secondary school pupils. This strengthened everyone. We are grateful. - Adamu*
In fact, one of Adamu’s* sons told us how he now sits with his father and talks to him: I am happy. I did not go to school before, but now I attend regularly. I can sit with my father, talk to him, and tell him stories. Also, children were provided with learner’s kits including books, bags, and writing materials to reduce the financial pressure on parents and make it easier to keep children in school.
After the program enlightened us, we also guided the children. One of them voluntarily returned to school and requested a uniform. The organization gave him a bag and books, and he resumed his studies. Even now, as we speak, he is in school writing his end-of-term exams. We are grateful... - Adamu*
The program also distributed large schoolbags to children with special needs... Parents and children were very happy. I myself also benefited through their support. We have nothing to say except thank you. May God reward the organization. - Adamu*
Save the Children Nigeria, in partnership with Goal Prime Organisation Nigeria and supported by Education Cannot Wait, provided learning materials to reduce household financial stress and has reached over 2,100 individuals through The Safe Family Session tailored towards strengthening parent–child relationships.
