The Hear the Children’s Cry Committee was established in November 2002 to focus on and work to eliminate the atrocities, abuses, neglect and traumatization of Jamaican children, and the denial of their God given rights. It is an umbrella group of organizations providing services for children and young people. Membership in this voluntary organization is also open to the participation of any citizen or resident of Jamaica, or member of the Jamaican Diaspora, who shares similar concerns and interests.

The particular atrocity which catalyzed the formation of the Committee in 2002 was the shooting up of a children's birthday party in the violence prone community of Greenwich Town, where founding member Hope For Children Foundation operates educational and other community based services for youngsters. The innocent victims of hostilities between rival gangs, the young children were sprayed with bullets at what should have been a joyful occasion. One child was killed, and a number were wounded, one very seriously.

A peaceful demonstration against the plague of murders and other violence was staged by some 1,000 children, facilitated by the new Hear the Children's Cry Committee. This took place on November 20, 2002 in Greenwich Town. Hope for Children was joined by Youth Opportunities Unlimited (youth mentoring & parenting education), Children First (programmes for children and families in crisis), Visions of Hope (Christian development programmes for marginalized children), the Jamaica Coalition on the Rights of the Child, and UNICEF Jamaica, in establishing the Hear the Children's Cry Committee.

The Committee went on to become dynamic advocates on behalf of Jamaican children and young people. National events have been organized, a vibrant media advocacy programme has been maintained, islandwide outreach has been established, and a high level of national dialogue has been stimulated. However, the work has only begun, towards achieving the main objective of protecting the rights of Jamaican children, ensuring them a wholesome and nurturing environment, and ensuring their well being and optimum development.

The Mission of the Hear the Children's Cry Committee is:

• To serve as the voice of Jamaica's children in the advocacy required to keep the concerns and interests of children at the forefront of Jamaican life.
• To engage in public education activities that promote and involve children and their parents/guardians.
• To facilitate and encourage children to speak for themselves on issues they deem important, and for their rights to be enforced and respected.

Ongoing Activities

Advocacy
on all issues relating to children and parents, including:

• Parenting Education in schools across Jamaica
• Parenting Talks in churches across Jamaica
• Public Appearances
• Organizing national events
• Vibrant Media Advocacy Programme: radio, television, print media
• Networking & Referral Services for Children and Parents in Crisis
• Lobbying for Legislative Changes
• Production/Dissemination of material on child protection

Practical Assistance
to children, families and young persons, through innovative programmes, including:

• Parenting Education Outreach
• Prevent A Drop Out Programme
• Missing Children’s Support Programme
• National Youth Help Projects
• National Children’s Lobby (targeting sexual violence against children)
• Individual Family Support Initiatives

National Impact

Despite the absence of formal studies to scientifically assess its effectiveness, the work of the Hear the Children's Cry Committee continues to create a significant impact in the wider Jamaican community. This is obvious from the following indicators:

• The overwhelming response of media managers, editors, reporters and programme producers, who not only afford high visibility to material issued by the Committee, but who are increasingly taking the initiative on behalf of its cause, through investigative journalism in the area of children's rights, child abuse and the traumatic effects of violence on the young;
• The strong support for the Committee's mission, demonstrated by vocal members of the public as expressed in letters to the editor and on call-in programmes;
• The steady stream of requests for Committee members to address, counsel and collaborate with schools, churches and community groups in every parish, and
• The increasing public focus on the issues of child welfare and child abuse, at both national and community levels.