my internship

So i started my internship last wednesday at the Childrens Protection Alliance. The CPA works to spread information throughout the country regarding childrens rights. A subject that is not known or cared about a great deal in this country. Any real legislation involving childrens rights wasn't even created until 2005 with the Childrens Act. Considering 65% of the 1.2 million in the country is under 24, you'd think it would be more of an important issue. Unfortunately, in a country dominated by Islam, children should be seen, not hear. I work directly with the national coordinator, doing what, I am not really sure yet. I am still learning how the organization works. The CPA itself does not work directly with kids, they work more with other organizations spreading information and working to raise awareness about childrens rights in the country. One of their projects, Voice of the Youth is run directly by children 10-17 who raise awareness among their peer groups across the country. I hope to work with them more then anything else. I have been really busy with the CPA's current project. Its something that is totally unheard of in the US. Its called the Worlds Childrens Prize for the Rights of the Children (WCPRC)
Every year, a jury of children are selected from countries all over the world. These children are victims of violation of their rights, whether that is trafficking, slavery, etc. They elect 3 from anywhere in the world that they feel have done the most for childrens rights. Then Books are published about the 3 nominees and sent throughout the world. Schools organizations in 83 countries receive books and the children act as representatives for the nominees. they make speeches and even hold rallies in favor of their candidates. Last year 11million children voted. This is the 4th year for the gambia being part of the program. Last year, 7 schools and organizations voted, a total of 6,000 children. This year it has grown to 18. We are hoping for about 10,000 votes this year. The CPA has been directly responisble for coordinating the voting process in the country. So far I have helped distribute books to a dozen schools. Yesterday(thursday) and today we went to a few different schools to see the voting process in action. Apparently they try to hold the voting in the same way as national elections so the kids will be more likely to partake in national elections. So now I have become the official photographer for the CPA. They asked me to take a bunch of pics of the voting process. Mr. Drammeh, my intern guy/national coordinator wants to send the pics to sweden, where the organization HQ is, they want pics of gambia partaking in the program in next years books. SWEEET
The pics are all online. check em out.