A brave 13-year-old girl called the Helpline to report her father for negligence. 'Elimina' informed us that her father had not been providing for her, starting from her basic needs to her school allowances and fees. Because of this she was a year behind at school. Elimina went on to say that her father claims he isn’t financially capable but she doesn’t believe him and that’s why she sought out our help.
Our Helpline counselor referred the case to the Village Executive Officer (VEO) and District Social Work Officer (DSWO) who assured us that they would work on it as soon as possible. A couple of days later the DSWO called to notify us on the state of the investigation.
The committee which included the Ward Executive Officer (WEO) and VEO was able to confirm Elimina’s complaints and were in a position to confront her father. They contacted Baba Elimina and made it clear that his duty as Elimina’s father was to ensure that all her needs were met and anything besides that would not be tolerated. He agreed and we pledged to check in from time to hold him to his word.
A few months later Elimina called back excited that she had access to all her needs. As a father and a parent, it is your responsibility to care for your children in all ways necessary especially when they are wholly dependent on you to provide for them.
The National Child Helpline team handles over 20 child neglect cases every month, that is to say, in every-working day in Tanzania - a parent or a guardian deprives their child basic needs including failure to provide adequate supervision, health care, clothing, or housing, as well as other physical, emotional, social, educational, and safety needs.
All is not lost and we are here to help. Please call us on 116 free of cost and available across all networks in Tanzania. We want to help.
PS. Elimina is not her real name. Her real name has been concealed to protect her identity in line with our Child Safeguarding Policy.
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