NAIROBI: 31st JULY 2023
The International Day of Friendship was proclaimed in 2011 by the UN General Assembly. It is an initiative based on the proposal made by UNESCO defining the Culture of Peace as a set of values, attitudes and behaviors that reject violence and endeavor to prevent conflicts by addressing their root causes with a view to solving problems. It was then adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1997.
Today, 71 countries are engaged in an exercise dubbed “WALK THE WORLD FOR BLUE FRIENDSHIP’ whose main aim is to promote IPA to local communities whilst bringing colleagues, their families, and friends closer together.
In an event that was graced by the County Executive for Mobility and Works Mr. Brian Mulama, Makadara Children’s Centre was a hive of activities with excitement from the children who welcomed guests from the International Police Association and Kikao Culture. Makadara Children’s Centre is one of the four facilities that is run by Nairobi City County. The other facilities are Shauri Moyo, Joseph Kagethe. Kayole and Ruai rehabilitation centers.
Mr. Mulama said, “As we celebrate International Day of friendship today it is a honor to share and spend time with children who we have rescued and are on the path to recovery from so many life challenges. Sharing the human spirit through friendship our world faces many challenges, crises and forces of division, such as poverty, violence, and human rights abuses among many others.”
“These challenges undermine peace, security, development and social harmony, having these children in the streets is a time bomb that will culminate to all these threats. To confront these challenges, their root causes must be addressed by promoting and defending a shared spirit of human solidarity that takes many forms the simplest of which is friendship. Sometimes all these children want is a mentor” He said
“ Through friendship by accumulating bonds of camaraderie and developing strong ties of trust we can contribute to the fundamental shifts that are urgently needed to achieve lasting stability, weave a safety net that will protect us all, and generate passion for a better world where all are united for the greater good. Said Mr. Mulama
Speaking during the event, President International Police Association Mr. Alfred Osur, said “ The International Police Association was founded on one of the most fundamental elements of any given society: friendship. Indeed, the Association’s Motto: Servo Per Amikeko which is Esperanto for Service Through Friendship’ is a running call that reminds each one of us of human’s most basic instinct: the necessity to offer help to those in need”.
Mr. Osur said “ We in Kenya chose to be with you here at Makadara Children’s Centre. We come here to share in our friendship and unconditional love. Our members are not very rich people, but out of the little God has blessed us with, we choose to share with you. It’s because we recognize that through this, we shall create lasting bonds-the bonds of friendship. We acknowledge the difficult circumstances that most of you have been through, and our assurance is that the future is brighter, because we are in a caring society, where true friendship is still valued.
The Chief Officer Social Services, George Mutiso who accompanied the County Executive said “We have a duty to ensure that these children become responsible citizens in the society. We will continue to provide shelter education and nurturing these children as we re-integrate then back to the society, despite the challenges. We welcome partners social workers counselors who can provide support to come in and bridge that gap. Let us foster a culture of peace through education, promotion of sustainable economic and social development ,promote respect for all human rights ensure equality. That way we will have peace and security in our City and the Country as a whole.”
Kikao Cultures Co-Founder Fardeen Blaq a 15 year old boy gave a speech on behalf of the children.
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