Who We Work With:
We work mainly with children aged 5-18 years old in Akwa Ibom state, especially those who are branded as witches and others who end up on the streets, including those trafficked, abandoned or other orphans and vulnerable children who are no longer living at home. The practice of labelling children as witches and consequent abuses are endemic in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria.

Problems Children Face and Rights Most At Risk:

Stigmatised, abused and street children, and those at risk, lack protection, suffer violence, abuse & neglect and some are killed. They are often trafficked, forced into labour and are at constant risk of abuse on the streets after being separated from their families and communities. Their experiences often lead to poor communication, low self esteem, fear and deep-seated trauma. They are usually poorly clothed, live in poor hygienic conditions and suffer from poor health, including injuries and illnesses. They have no access to basic education as they almost always drop out of school.

The children’s rights, according to the CRC, as ratified by Nigeria in the Child Rights Act of 2003 are thus violated, especially their right to life (Article 6), right to protection (Articles 36 & 39), right to live safely with parents or have proper care if not (Articles 9, 19, 20), right to have their opinion taken into account (Article 12); right to adequate standard of living (Article 27), right to education (Article 28), and right to good health (Article 24).

Root of the Problem: The root causes of the problem include:

• Parental death or neglect
• Step-mothers who fear their own children will lose out in inheritance
• Misguided religious beliefs and misinterpretation of scripture
• Exploitation  by fake pastors who brand children as witches in order to make money by ‘exorcising’ them
• Poverty – lack of money for children’s upkeep
• Weak institutional framework to safeguard children

Long Term Changes In The Lives Of Children And Families: SSNCEF’s work is aimed at bringing about crucial long term positive changes in the life of children such that:

• Children become and accepted of family and community
• Children are protected from harm
• Children have an adequate standard of living
• Children become responsible and contributing part of our society
• Children attain basic education and literacy
• Children attain good health

Strategies and Activities:
To engender the needed change, SSNCEF employs key strategies and activities such as:

• Counselling and life skills education for children and families
• Family strengthening and reintegration
• Case investigation and monitoring, documentation and litigation
•  Child rescue and medical intervention
• Community mobilisation
• Building linkages and partnerships with government and CSOs
• Basic Education and Literacy
• Complementary strategies such as media campaigns, IEC materials; micro-grants, provision of nutritional and hygiene support, and vocational training.

1. LOVE OF CHILDREN: SSNCEF is passionate and committed  to improve the lives of vulnerable children; as the child is the centre of its work
   
   
2. GIVING A VOICE TO CHILDREN: SSNCEF ensures that children are enabled to communicate their feelings, needs, and concerns, and fully participate in matters concerning them.
   
   
3. KNOWLEDGE WITH INNOVATION: SSNCEF has a good understanding of the context of its work and devices groundbreaking and creative strategies to address the issues facing children
   
   
4. PROACTIVITY: SSNCEF takes initiatives to ensure prevention and early intervention rather than reacting to incidences of abuse
   
   
5. TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY: SSNCEF ensures effective and efficient utilisation of financial and material resources to achieve its objectives and actively communicates same to beneficiaries, trustees, donors, and other stakeholders.
   
   
6. COOPERATION AND COLLABORATION: SSNCEF is committed to working together and partnering with other institutions and organisations to engender joint learning, shared goals and mutual support.