AFRUCA Foundation for The Protection of the Rights of Vulnerable Children was established in February 2010 to promote the rights and welfare of children in Nigeria and other African countries. It was launched in Abeokuta Nigeria on Wednesday 14th December 2011. Closely affiliated with AFRUCA – Africans Unite Against Child Abuse, The Foundation works with others to achieve the following aims and objectives:

Our Aims

1. To promote the rights and welfare of children in Nigeria and elsewhere
2. To raise awareness of the consequences of cruelty and abuse on children
3. To promote positive parenting among parents
4. To highlight the risk of abuse to children and provide them with the skills to protect themselves
5. To cater for the welfare of the underprivileged in the society
6. To provide legal services for the protection of the rights of children
7. To provide Medicare and vocational training to children and young people

As AFRUCA develops its work in Nigeria and across Africa, it will increase the contributions it can make in terms of:

1. Working with others internationally to address the reasons for African children being taken into abusive situations in Europe and elsewhere.
2. Collaborating and sharing learning with organisations seeking to promote the welfare of children in other countries in Africa

Our Mission

Using the 1989 United Nation Convention on the Rights of the Child as the basis of our work, AFRUCA's mission is to promote the rights and welfare of African children. We want to be the voice of children in Africa and the first point of contact for people interested in the welfare of African children. Our sister organization, AFRUCA UK has also been granted Special Consultative Status with the UN Economic and Social Council. We will be working with them to raise the issue of African children at this international forum.

Our Vision

Our vision is to see a world in which African Children can live free of cruelty and abuse at the hands of others.

Our Principles

“Children have the right to be protected from all forms of violence. They must be kept safe from harm. They must be given proper care by those looking after them”

UN Convention on the Rights of the Child Article 19

 All AFRUCA's activities are guided by the following principles:

• The 1989 United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) provides the foundation for all our work. Our work is guided by the UNCRC's 4 Ps - Protection of Children, Prevention of abuse, Prosecution of abusers and Participation of children in our programmes
• AFRUCA is of the firm opinion that genuine engagement with affected communities is essential in order to effect positive change. We stand with the Nigerian community in seeking to promote the rights and welfare of its children.
• Young people have the right to a voice, and AFRUCA will continue to involve them in our work.
• We will work in partnership with others who are concerned about the welfare of children and recognise the need to bring about positive changes.
• AFRUCA is first and foremost a Child Protection organisation. Children’s interests and welfare come first in everything that AFRUCA does and says. Our firm opinion is that culture and religion can never be an excuse for child abuse and child exploitation.

 Our Strategies

• Awareness raising and sensitisation: in different communities and among young Nigerians about children’s rights as enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and other international conventions and UK legislation promoting the rights and welfare of children.
• Information, education, and advisory services: to raise the profile of children in Nigeria increase awareness of their needs, improve policies, guidelines and practices, and develop the leadership potential of young Africans. Activities include research and publishing reports; media work; conferences, seminars, workshops, and training programmes for policy makers, service providers, parents, faith and community leaders, young people; community meetings; advice and consultancy services.
• Advocacy and policy development: working closely with policy makers to shape the development of policy and regulatory action to promote the welfare of children.
• Community Development: in partnership with others to put in place programmes and projects to help relieve some of the suffering and hardship that Nigerian children experience
• Family Support: Working to support families in crisis, at the point of breakdown through effective early intervention services.

Our Trustees

1. Abiola Sanusi
2. Iro Al-Rahman
3. Abayomi Idris Ariyo
4. Ibidapo Oyewole

Our Founder & President

Modupe Debbie Ariyo OBE
Debbie is Founder and Executive Director of AFRUCA - Africans Unite Against Child Abuse, a UK charity promoting the rights and welfare of African children. She holds a Masters degree in Urban Policy from the University of North London and a Bachelors in French and Education from University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria. 

As a child rights campaigner, Debbie has been very vocal and visible in highlighting issues affecting the safeguarding of African children in the UK. She has helped to develop AFRUCA's work programmes on the promotion and protection of African children. She has worked with and advises different local authorities and organisations across the country to help improve service provision to African children in their care. She sits on many working groups and committees and is also a Non Executive Board Member of the UK’s Independent Safeguarding Authority, the new barring and vetting agency established to prevent unsuitable people working with vulnerable adults and children.