Awinja Throws Tantrums In Epic Video To Highlight Crisis In Early Years Education: "Hamnipendi"

• Jacky Vike, alias Awinja joined a Global Tantrum to stand up for children missing out on early years care and education
• In the video's caption, the actress noted all children deserve the best start in life, evidently standing up for children missing out on early years support
• The actress, as a mum, spoke on children missing out on early years of education and why the project is special to her

Papa Shirandula's Awinja has joined Global Tantrum to protest the lack of early years investment for children.

Awinja joins campaign on early education for kids

She wants to ‘stand up’ for children missing out on early years support.

In a new short film, Vike, who played Awinja in the popular Kenyan sitcom Papa Shirandula, sulks, screams and stamps her feet in protest over the failure of world leaders to invest in children’s early years.

Children have a tantrum when they’re being ignored.

The Global Tantrum is part of Theirworld’s Act for Early Years campaign, which aims to send a strong message to world leaders that they are ignoring and letting down the world’s youngest children.

Other celebrities from around the world are set to join the tantrum in the coming weeks in protest over the lack of early years support.

Awinjah speaks as a mum

According to Theirworld, more than half of the world’s children, which is about 350 million, have no access to childcare, and 175 million are not enrolled in pre-primary education.

A UNICEF report highlighted that Kenya invests only 1.8% of its education budget in early years education and development (UNICEF)

Without the right early years support, children fall behind even before they have started school.

“As a mother I know first-hand the importance of early years education. I’m supporting the Global Tantrum to stand up for the children who don’t yet have a voice. We need change to make sure they are given the education they deserve. It’s their right, make it happen," said Awinjah.

Sarah Brown, Chair of Theirworld, said:

“The first few years of a child’s life play such an important role in their future development. It is non-negotiable to ensure that they are supported fully in this period of their lives. We’re urgently in need of a global revolution in the investment and planning of early years education to solve this problem. And it is without a doubt our responsibility to make this change to improve the lives of millions of children who are being left behind and let down.”

This is why Jacky and many more are joining Theirworld in throwing a ‘tantrum’ to show enough is enough and urgent change is so desperately needed. Although the Global Tantrum is a fun, light-hearted action, it is here to highlight a critical issue. We need world leaders to listen after years of failed pledges and promises, and there’s no better way to do this than having a tantrum!” 

The charity will take the Global Tantrum to the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September to raise awareness among world leaders.  

Why early education is important

The campaign is backed by an extensive and hard-hitting report highlighting the challenges facing parents and children and includes radical recommendations for urgent action by world leaders.   

Theirworld urges governments to act to ensure every child has access to affordable, quality childcare.

It also wants countries to invest in the key areas a young child needs to thrive, such as good health, nutrition, care and stimulation.    

In the clip below, while throwing a fit, she says:

"Leave me alone. This is not a tantrum... You don't care for me... I don't want it... I'm feeling hungry... You don't care for me. You don't love me and the things I do."

Early Childhood Education in Kenya

TUKO.co.ke had dived into the topic of Early Childhood Education in Kenya and whether the set goals and objectives for the development of the future of Kenyan children could be achieved.

The ECDE is the major critical responsibility of preparing children for their future education.

There is minimal involvement by the Government of Kenya. It is a universal fact that the parents are ultimately responsible for the development, planning and management of the different childhood programmes.

The MOE or the Ministry of Education needs to properly care for the country's ECD programmes.