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Kenyan television star Jacky Vike throws a massive ‘tantrum’ to support charity’s early years campaign

  • Actor joins Global Tantrum in protest over lack of early years investment
  • She wants to ‘stand up’ for children missing out on early years support
  • Other high-profile celebrities will join Theirworld’s tantrum in the coming weeks

The Kenyan actor and comedian Jacky Vike has joined a Global Tantrum to stand up for children missing out on early years care and education.

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. Because what do children do when they’re being ignored? They have a tantrum.

The Global Tantrum – part of Theirworld’s Act for Early Years campaign – 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.

You can watch the film in English HERE and in Swahili HERE, where Vike brings back her iconic ‘Awinja’ character.

More than half of the world’s children – 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,” said Jacky. “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!”

Sarah Brown, Chair of Theirworld, said: “The first few years of a child’s life plays 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.

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

Theirworld urges governments to act to make sure that every child has access to affordable, quality childcare. It also wants countries to invest in the key areas that a young child needs to thrive, such as good health, good nutrition, care and stimulation.

ENDS

Notes to Editors
For more information, please contact Jaspur Heer, jaspur@theirworld.org +44 7539 566459

About Theirworld
Theirworld is a global children’s charity committed to ending the global education crisis and unleashing the potential of the next generation. Its mission is to ensure that every child has the best start in life, a safe place to learn and the skills they need for the future.