SSNCEF - Safeguarding and Empowering the Nigerian Child!
SSNCEF works in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria and was established to combat the trend of child stigmatisation and abandonment in Akwa Ibom State (AKS) and other neighbouring states, caused mainly by a deeply held belief in child witchcraft amongst local communities in the region. It is registered with the Corporate Affairs Corporation (CAC) as a non-profit, non governmental organisation and has been working in partnership with Stepping Stones Nigeria (UK), the STARS Foundation, Bar Human Rights Commission of England and Wales, and other international and local development partners.
We envisage a Niger Delta where children are no more stigmatised (accused of witchcraft) because government, communities and families are ensuring that they have access to their rights and opportunities for development and our mission is to empower stigmatised, abused, and street children in the Niger Delta of Nigeria, ensuring that they are safe, an accepted and contributing part of families and communities, and are enjoying their rights.
We are driven by love for children, need for children to have a voice, need to safeguard children in a proactive manner; and positioned for more effectiveness and efficiency, knowledge and innovation, transparency and accountability, in our avowed task. This task is to bring about long term positive changes in the lives of stigmatised, abused, and street children – that they are an accepted part of families and communities, are protected from harm, have an adequate standard of living, are responsible and contributing part of society, are in good health, and are educated and literate.
To engender a protective environment for children, we challenge stereotypes, mobilise communities, raise awareness, strengthen families, foster partnerships, advocate for and with children, and seek sustainable solutions to challenges being faced by children in the Niger Delta of Nigeria.
