LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The outgoing British Ambassador to Malawi, Michael Nevin and his wife had to share the same stage with the renowned rapper Tay Grin alongside Lilongwe deputy mayor Kwame Bandawe on the song titled, “Reach Out”.The track “Reach Out” which Ambassador’s wife, Sawako Nevin composed is encouraging children and young people to live on their dreams while imploring policy makers to put sustainable measures of protecting them from various abuses including defilement, torture, and school corporal punishment among others.

It was at this year’s Children’s Future Festival event organized by Lake of Stars in the capital Lilongwe when Ambassador Nevin’ family, Bandawe and Tay Grin shared the stage on the song which attracted much applause from most children who happened attend the show.

The audience at the event realized later that it was Ambassador Nevin on stage singing along side Tay Grin until the Master of Ceremony (MC) introduced the performers to the spectators which excited many children seeing the diplomat making their case in the song.

This year’s children show focused on young people’s protection and abuses especially on children living with albinism. The event also provided a platform for children to interact to each other through educational and entertaining activities. The festival was supported by UNICEF Malawi and Timveni.

“Reach Out, is song which encourages children and young people to be glued to their dreams while asking those in authority to provide them protection in order to achieve life goals.

“This is my first time to share the same stage with high profile people in our society. This is a motivation for children to keep their life dreams intact. I will always sing for children and young people who are the key audience I am up for,” said Tay Grin of the Chipapapa fame.

Tmveni, a media group which championed the 2014 tripartite elections’ presidential candidates to sign declaration of ten commitments for children and youth in Malawi, intends to meet President Peter Mutharika on his commitments towards children’s welfare.

“This year’s festival is vital as it has given us opportunity to meet all children in one forum hearing their concerns. We will take the concerns to the head of state as a reminder to what he signed for in 2014 before he attained the leadership of this country.

“We want to see total commitment on those ten critical issues including reduction in the chronic malnutrition rates, tangible student/classroom ration in all primary schools from 107 pupils per classroom to 60 pupils per classroom, creating jobs and reduce youth unemployment from 24% to 10 among others,” said Manyanda Nyasulu of Timveni.

This year’s children festival which debuted last year was also part of the 2016 round calendar of the activities a head of Lake of Star event slated for September 30-October 2 at Chintheche Inn in the northern and lake district of Nkhatabay.

“As we are drumming for this year’s Lake of Stars Festival, children’s show was meant to appreciate different performances, young people can share to each other. The event offers a positive, stimulating, safe environment for children and young people of all ages and backgrounds to come together and have fun as well as providing a forum for them to express views learn and empower themselves.

“Particularly the festival focused on raising awareness of the rights of people with albinism who are currently suffering severe discrimination in the country. Children have taken away the message that we are all equal and that violence on any level against anyone isn’t acceptable”, says Frances Jameson, the organizer of the Children Future Festival.