On June 16, 1976, thousands of black students from Soweto, South Africa took to the streets to demand better education and the right to learn in their own language.  Hundreds were shot down and the violence led to days of rioting known as the Soweto Uprising. The spirit and courage of those youth is remembered annually as the Day of the African Child. Child Trafficking is the focus this year. We will provide coverage next week from many of the events taking place, but today I wanted to share a poem written as part of a writing contest we held with the UN Cybershoolbus.  This was submitted by Nkeiru, a child from Nigeria.

The moment I hear them mention poverty
My mind reminds me of the future
there is no future with poverty
it is a lost future in the face of poverty

Our leaders needs to speak out
our teachers needs to teach us
our youth needs to live out
our people just needed understanding

What shall we do to win this struggle?
My pastor said, "we just need to pray"
My mother said, "Go and sleep"
Our leaders said, "We are committed against poverty!"

It is our future they are choosing for us
A future that looks promising
Of making poverty history
As the means will justify

No excuse 2015
But it is around the corner of our village and school
Yes, we have to stand up and walk
And say IT to the world
That we can make poverty history with our VOICES
A generation that holds the key is around!