Children take over Radio Miraya to champion safe water and child rights

CENTRAL EQUATORIA - "I visited a school where more than 1,000 children shared a single water source. They were fighting to drink and because it wasn’t sanitary, some of the children fell sick, leading them to miss lessons for days."

Richard Robert is not describing a distant humanitarian crisis. He is recounting what he has seen in his own country. He is UNICEF’s Young Reporter, an advocate for children’s rights in South Sudan.

Sitting across from him in Radio Miraya's studio are the day's hosts, Nyanthon Mading and Prosper Sasa. They are not seasoned broadcasters, and like Richard, they are schoolchildren.

For a day, the UN Radio station’s regular presenters have handed over the microphones to these powerful young voices. From the Miraya Breakfast Show, The Beat, Drivetime to news bulletins, children are interviewing guests, reading the news and leading discussions reaching thousands of listeners across this young nation.

This year's Day of the African Child focuses on the link between access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and the fulfilment of children's rights. It is a conversation the young broadcasters understand through lived experience.

Richard describes schools where learners spend valuable time queuing for water instead of preparing for lessons. In some cases, unsafe drinking water leaves children ill and unable to return to class.

Yet he has also seen what happens when schools invest in better facilities.

"When schools have water filters, children can fill their bottles without worrying about getting sick. The water is clean, and they can concentrate on learning."

For fellow UNICEF Young Reporter Nene Atif, the discussion turns to a challenge many girls face but rarely speak about publicly.

"When you are menstruating, you need clean water," she says. "Any contact with unhygienic water can lead to complications."

Without clean water and sanitation during their monthly cycle, girls’ dignity and participation in school are affected.

"If I am not clean, I do not feel confident," Nene adds.

But these remarkable children don’t merely dwell on challenges but are focused on solutions.

Richard believes communities can play a bigger role in improving school environments.

"The community can gather, visit a school in their vicinity and construct toilet facilities," he suggests. "These are minor acts that can have a great impact."

The conversations resonate with listeners. Throughout the day, callers congratulate the young presenters while reflecting on the importance of giving children opportunities to speak openly about issues affecting their lives.

By the end of the broadcast, the children have done far more than fill in for professional presenters. They have asked difficult questions, challenged assumptions and reminded adults that children are often the most credible voices on issues that shape their future.

"Children are rarely heard," says Prosper Sasa. "At least we are representing all the children in South Sudan, and that's really important."

For one day, Radio Miraya's microphones belonged to children. Their message, however, is one that deserves to be heard every day.

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Clayton Moyo