There is therefore the need for more approaches to open new windows for donation otherwise we will suffer a serious setback in supporting the children.

 IDENTIFICATION/DOCUMENTATION OF OVC: It will interest you to know that identification and documentation of OVC was carried out in Eket, Onna, Esit Eket and Ibeno simultaneously and later in some special spots in Uyo (Ibom Plaza, Itam junction and Etuk market), Oron axis (Oron main market, secretariat junction, Ibaka and James Town in Mbo).

 Basically the objective of the identification was to
1)       Create a data base for OVC 
2)       To identify the need assessment of these children
3)      To ensure the sustainability of the programmes of assistance to the children.

 In the surrounding community where CRARN is situated, the identification team went and

 Health Care Services:
Truly lack of fund is hindering our effort at providing good health care service to the children yet we are glad to have some free immunization services from the government on the 6 killer diseases for the three rounds.

May I equally state here that we got a good support from Stepping Stones Nigeria (SSN) as Udo who had fracture on the left arm with open wound which was emitting maggots. Also Victor Ette who had hyena was operated and a blanket deworming exercise was carried out for all the children on quarterly basis. So was malaria vaccine given to all the children every two month. HIV test was carried out on 58 kids.

 A case of severe epilepsy attacking Etido Gabriel Akpan was minimized. Initially, Etido usually had up to 4-6 fits in a day but now it will take  up to 4 months before he even got one.

 Tuberculosis: Rita Robson Assam who was discovered of having TB is now on drugs. Equally 18 children suspected of having TB were taken to Government Hospital Awa for test and all tested negative.

Some difficult health issues are still on ground. Inyang (Inwang) and Nwaeka Ofonime still have severe mental cases which have not been treated though they were taken to the hospital for diagnosis and treatment, fund wasn’t enough for the follow up measure.

 In the community around CRARN & Stepping Stones Nigeria (SSN) gave health assistance to 8 OVC who had health problem. Samuel Assam from Ikot Odiong, Eket who had a severe mental case was taken to Psychiatric Hospital Eket on October 2006 for treatment. He is now living a normal life. And 48 kids were given psycho-socio treatment as a result of the mental trauma they had while on streets.

 EDUCATION
At the beginning of this year, we were having it difficult to give the children sound education. We only had two separate classes for the children. Our hope kindled when the Stepping Stones model school at Uquo Esit Eket got to a finishing stage, that the 60% of the children in CRARN centre will be attending the school. But in a sharp dramatic twist, this hope vanished in thin air as the Uquo Community opposed vehemently the idea of any of these kids attending the school because of the stigma of witchcraft.

 Fortunately, the collective efforts of Stepping Stones Nigeria (SSN) and CRARN convinced the government of Akwa Ibom State through the Ministry of Women Affairs and social Welfare to donate N5m which was used in the building of one classroom block, boys hostel and toilet. And part of it went to the Stepping Stones model school. Today the children are proud to have their own school which they attend without fear of attack, any form of molestation and discrimination.

 The school, CRARN children Academy, currently has four paid teachers, including a head teacher two volunteers teachers and a career. Though this is not enough, in the coming years we hope that with our capacity expanded, more teachers will be employed. Equally, CRARN has applied to the Eket Local Government for at least three trained teachers to the CRARN children Academy to alleviate the teaching problem.

 Educational facilities:
Some books, other reading and writing materials , packets of pens, pencils and crayons were donated by the Latter Day Saints Charities (led by Elder & Sister Wilson) Port Harcourt (the South South) Region. They also donated desks and chairs for the children.

 Advocacy Meeting/Enlightenment Campaign: Enlightenment campaign remains to us the main focus for the prevention of child abandonment, stigmatization, discrimination, trafficking, torture and killing. No other instrument has been so effective in curbing the rate of cruelty against children as enlightenment campaign.

 This view is backed up by the fact that, in the surrounding environment of CRARN children centre, the children were often attacked, discriminated against and indeed hated. Several police arrests were made. And you will agree with me that instead of reducing the problem it rather fumed it.

However when CRARN put up the Enlightenment Committee to facilitate the enlightenment process, all these problems was reduced. Today the children instead of being attack or hated as was hitherto the case, they are been protected by the surrounding communities.

 The impact of the PACT Lunch:
 The Prevent the Abandonment of children Today (PACT) launched on 25th October 2006 by Stepping Stones Nigeria, child’s Right and Rehabilitation Network [CRARN] in partnership with the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Women Affair and Social Welfare has impacted positively on the lives of children. The PACT Launch also drew resource persons from the State Action Committee on Aids [SACA], NAPTIP – National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Person, religious leaders from different parts of Nigeria, Canada, US, NGOs, the civil society, etc. Today, with this campaign, it is now a little easier to reconcile a child with the family, the frequent attacks on street children is reducing. Few parents have come  and claimed back their children. Since the programme is an annual events, by the time the second one is launched, more positive impact would have been made

LEAFLET:
 The CRARN leaflets (flyers) are doing a lot of job on the mentality of people, as it carries a lot of message about sensitisation and enlihtenment

 INCOME GENERATING ACTIVITIES
It is quite clear that our resources are too limited to carry out income generating activities. But despite this short-coming, we did not succumb to our fate; we forged a head. How did we succeed?

SIFE: The student in Free Enterprise (SIFE), the University of Uyo Chapter came, trained some CRARN members and children on how to rear snails and rabbits. They built a snail bank and donated a rabbitry with 2 rabbits to CRARN. CRARN/ SSN replicated this gesture by building 2 snails bank and a rabbitry and bought 6 more rabbits. Today these remain a good source of protein intake to the children as the snails multiply dramatically just as the rabbits. However, two kinds of snail species are raised. The one found within the environment and the bulky ones brought from the forest. The children enjoy eating snails at least once a week. Undoubtedly, we rarely sale the snail. When we do, it is only to those who want to rear it, for now.

 Cassava: the major staple food is equally in our crops planting this year as 80 x 60 land was rented at Effoi where cucumbers and some vegetable leaves were first planted for about two month before cassava. This same measure was also taken in the farm at the CRARN children camp.

Really the children got the best out this, especially the first planted therein, like paw paw and water melon. Lack of lands to plant more of this is really giving us cause for concern.

PINEAPPLE: The pineapple orchards of CRARN continue to produce more pineapples for sales and consumption. Well managed by the children and guided the Agriculture Programme Officer, Mr. David Umem. In the space of the pineapple row, assorted vegetable leaves are planted . This mixed cropping makes the soil very rich as the nutrients applied to the vegetables are equally absorbed by the pineapples and vice versa.

 The effort of our major partner, Stepping Stones Nigeria (SSN) must really be commended as the training given to CRARN on how to make a good compost manure has yielded a more positive result.

 PLANTAIN: Apart from cassava, plantain is one of the major food crops planted by CRARN and the yield for this year was quite amazing. The children delight eating plantain, especially when cooked with beans. In some weeks about 12-14 plantains are harvested both for sales and the kids consumption. One significant but painful problem is that we sometimes lost some plantains to thieves.

 In order to boost our capacity in 2007, the following have been earmarked for rearing. Piggery, goatry and poultry farm. This will only take effect if we have enough funds.

 CAPITAL PROJECTS EXECUTED: The following capital projects were executed at the CRARN children centre:

1.       Purchase of 70 x 50m land. Donation: Stepping Stones Nigeria (SSN)

2.       Building of a 6 bed room dormitory. Donation: Akwa Ibom State Government.

3.       Building of a 4 classroom block: Donation: Akwa Ibom State Government.

4.       Drilling of bore-hole with overhead tank. Donation: Latter Day Saint Charities

5.       Purchase of 15 double bunk beds and 30 mattress (6 spring) Donation: Latter Day Saint Charities.

 SUB CAPITAL: PROJECT
Renting of a 4 bed room hostel for girls for 3 years donation. Latter Day Saint Charities. Reroofing of kitchen:- The Chuch of Jesus of Latter Day Saints, Mission, Uyo.

 LEGAL SUPPORT
The demand for legal support to children deprived of their right is quite intimidating. Many kids who lost their parents to HIV/AIDS and other terminal diseases are branded ‘witches’ or ‘wizards’. This is to fleece them of all forms of support, sympathy and love. To this extends they are deprived of their right to their father’s property and forced to roam the street helplessly.

This year alone CRARN and SSN made 8 children reclaim their fathers property. At Ebe Ekpi in Esit Eket Local Government Area, we met with the Village Head and Council Elder’s and discussed Sam Okon Isaiah’s case together with the two sisters, Sarah and Esther. When the Chiefs summoned the uncles and family, they claimed these children are “bad seed”. But when we made it clear that the court will decide the case, they offered to relinquish the property.

This is also a similar case of Prince Robson Assam and his sister, Rita we met with the Village Head of Ekpene Obo, Esit Eket, and put forward the case of Master Prince and Miss Rita whose both parents died of TB that the children need their father’s land. In a meeting held on 26th November 2006, at Village Hall, the Village Council apportioned piece two of lands 60 x 50 and 70 x 55 to these kids. Even though they are in the children centre, they still have access to their traditional land. Similar situation has happened to 8 children in all this year.

However, 15 children whose parents refused to pay their school fee were compelled or advised to do so. And about 30 parents who were fun of committing assault and battery against their children were either compelled to sign an undertaking with CRARN or taken the state welfare office for counseling. This has really made many parents to show love to their children and respect their rights. 

CAPACITY BUILDING
1.       In January 2006, CRARN attended a capacity building training workshop on HIV/AIDS on care-giver organized by the State Action Committee on AIDS (SACA) and World Bank.

 2.       In April the State Government nominated CRARN as the only NGO to represent her in a capacity building training and conference for the 2006-2010 Action Plan for OVC

 3.       In July, the Swiss Embassy in Nigeria in conjunction with the Office of the Special Assistant to the President on child Labour and trafficking invited CRARN to her capacity building and conference on child labour and trafficking.

 4.       In October 2006 Stepping Stones Nigeria organized a training workshop for members, staff of CRARN and Stepping Stones Nigeria (SSN).

 SPECIAL FEATURES :THE WIFE OF THE STATE GOVERNOR VISITS CRARN
 On April 11, 2006, Her Excellency, the wife of the State Governor Nnenyin Allison Attah visited the CRARN Children Centre and donated items worth N500,000.00 to the children. That same day she was at the Stepping Stones Model  School Uquo, Esit Eket for the Ground Breaking Ceremony.

 This public Health Services practitioner, baffled CRARN and SSN with his public health innovations. Vick came to work from Uquo, Esit Eket by 7:30 or 8:00am everyday and left by 9:00 pm in the night. He introduced various methods of sanitation to the children, ranging from good drinking water, clean utensils, urinary, the environment, etc.

 Vick was really involved in the rehabilitation process of the mentally sick children, especially Inyang (Inwang) Etido, Kufre and Nwaeka. Equally, Vik’s  Services in taking some of the chronically sick children to the University Teaching Hospital Uyo, defying the risk of the Niger Delta Militants and the police checks and other amazing work earned him the admiration of CRARN and the children.

 Vick returned to Lithuania in November 2006 and left behind the following message on the wall in CRARN Office: “Elli and Sam, Please do not forget to take Daniel to the Teaching Hospital, Uyo on the 1st March 2007 for medical check-up. Take fresh x-ray of him with you, as it is very important. Thank you!-- Viktor”

 This information keeps reminding us of this 25 year old Lithuanian.
 MR GUS
CRARN was lucky to find a Canadian working in Mobil Training School, Mr Gus, in September 2005. Since then Gus has been coordinating relief materials from Canada and some colleagues working in the Mobil Training School Eket.

 Mr Gus uses Mary Akpan who is a staff in the Technical Training Centre as his coordinator. Gus is not happy that the Niger Delta Militants activities have compelled the Mobil Management to place a ban on the whites expatriates from going out “ I love to see the children, I’m deeply concerned about their plight and hope there could be a way out soon…”  Gus had remarked.

 CHILDREN PARTIES
In July 2006 Latter Day Saints Charities in partnership with CRARN and SSN lit up the spirit of the children as a party organized for them drew guests like the Head of Council of Eket Local Government, Chief S. W. Edohoeket who was represented by his Deputy, and the Secretary of Eket local government, Rev/Mrs Phillis Sortor and her husband from the Free Methodist Church USA, Elder and Sister Hawk of The Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints.

 Equally CRARN and Steeping Stones Nigeria Organized a Christmas Party for the children which drew a cream of the Latter Day Saints Missionaries from the Uyo Mission – covering Akwa Ibom and Cross River States and led by President and Sister Brockbonk. Also in attendance were and Bishop  Bassey.

 The children used the occasion to display their wonderful talents to their guests

 REROOFING OF THE KITCHEN:
The kitchen’s zinks of the children was chopped off by rust and a gale wind  brought it down completely. When Elder and Sister Hawk visited the children, they were deeply touched by the plight of the children. They ordered for the reproofing of the kitchen. They used the occasion to donate a plastic tank for water reserve of the children.

 Paul Udo
In May 2006, Hon. Paul Udo a Councilor representing Ward IV Central, Eket donated Sewing Machine to the children. He also brought Copper Armed Tunji of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to train 8 children in art work. This training was such an excellent one for the children. 

Sister Brockbank.
Sister Brockbank in December donated blankets to the children and some food items. She promised to donate more in the coming year. She said the that blankets were made by some of her friends in US 

The Executive, Director Villa Marina Hotels.
The Executive Director, Villa Marina Hotels, Engr Iniobong Esuene promised to be paying N20,000 every month for six months, beginning from October, 2006

 The year 2006 recorded great achievement for CRARN. Noticeably, about 680 lives of children were saved through our enlightenment and rehabilitation programs. And through the reconciliation and reunification programmes, 38 kids were reconciled with their parents/families, and are living happily.

 Despite this resounding effort, there are still more challenges and problems which are yet to be fully addressed. The superstitious belief in  witchcraft in Akwa Ibom State have not been really punctured. Various religious persuasions are not bulging to the truth about witchcraft, thereby marring, to a great extenter our effort.

 We strongly believe that if various organizations and the government swing into action, in addressing this problem, which is generating bitter hatred and cruelty against stigmatized children, a greater proportion lives – children and adult alike will be saved 

Thank you so much.