**DISTINGUISHED REPRESENTATIVES AND PARTNERS OF THE MINISTRY OF ENERGY AND WATER,
RESPECTED REPRESENTATIVES OF THE SPONSORING COMPANIES SUPPORTING THE INAUGURAL CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL “EMBRACING THE FUTURE,”
DEAR PARENTS, GUARDIANS, AND CARETAKERS OF THESE WONDERFUL CHILDREN GATHERED HERE:**
It is a great honor and joy to address you today as we come together to commemorate the Day of the African Child, which we will celebrate tomorrow, June 16.
The phrase “To children, everything they deserve” serves as a timeless reminder of the duty we, as adults, hold to nurture and support our young ones.
Guided by this belief, the Ministry of Energy and Water is proud to take part in organizing this festival, “Embracing the Future,” as part of our commitment to social responsibility. This event brings together families, children, and the workforce of our sector in a shared space of learning and joy.
Reflecting on our own childhood and the challenges our parents faced, we must remain grateful for the foundations they laid, enabling us to grow into the individuals we are today.
Now, it is our turn to ensure the well-being—both spiritual and material—of these young boys and girls. By doing so, we uphold the 11 Rights of the Child, adopted by the Government of Angola in 2007. These rights encompass areas such as survival, food security, birth registration, early childhood education, primary schooling, vocational training, juvenile justice, and protection against violence, as well as social welfare and family support.
TO THE EDUCATORS AND GUARDIANS HERE TODAY,
Let us redouble our efforts to guide these children through their growth, ensuring they receive the vocational, academic, and professional mentorship they need to thrive. As the saying wisely reminds us, “The tree grows straight if shaped early.”
And to our young friends here, let me ask: what do you dream of becoming in the future?
Perhaps electrical technicians?
Or water systems specialists?
As the leader of the electricity and water sectors, I sincerely hope that many of you will choose careers in these vital fields. Your contributions will one day be essential in operating and maintaining our country’s growing network of dams, power lines, electricity and water production facilities, and more. These roles are crucial to advancing Angola’s energy and water infrastructure.
I am delighted to welcome the renowned musician Maya Cool, a cherished figure in our country’s children’s music scene, who has joined us for this special occasion.
In closing, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the event organizer, Celso Mambo, the animation team, Clown Tawas, musician Neru Americano, and the leaders and technicians of our sector for their hard work and dedication.
A special thank-you also goes to our sponsors: PRODEL, RNT, ENDE, EPAL, K Business, ENG Consult, and DAR, for making this event possible.
Finally, my deepest thanks to the children and their families for being here with us today.
Thank you all!