Every child has the right to play, to learn, and to belong — and on the Day of the African Child, Cheza Foundation put children with disabilities at the very centre of the celebration.
We marked the Day of the African Child with a fun-filled, inclusive event at Mbweni JKT Zoo, focused on the rights and well-being of children — especially those with disabilities. The day was designed so that every child could take part fully, whatever their ability.
Activities ranged from games and guided zoo tours to art and educational talks on child rights and conservation. Learning and play went hand in hand, giving children new experiences while gently building awareness of the rights every child holds.
Observed across the continent every June, the Day of the African Child is a moment to reflect on the rights, dreams, and challenges of children everywhere. For children with disabilities — who are so often left out of such celebrations — being fully included was the whole point of the day.
The event brought together children, parents, educators, and local leaders in a shared celebration of unity, inclusion, and empowerment. Playing and learning side by side, families and community members saw first-hand how much children with disabilities can do when they are simply given the chance to take part.
Days like this plant a seed that lasts long after the games end. When a community celebrates its children together — every one of them — inclusion stops being an idea and becomes a habit. That is the future Cheza Foundation is working toward: a Tanzania where every African child has the right to play, to learn, and to shine.