The child protection alliance (CPA) has successfully concluded the 2008 global vote for the world's children prize on the rights of the child (WCPRC) in the Gambia. This year 34 schools conducted the voting process which began on the 3rd April and ended on the 11th. This year's nominees come from Peru, Cambodia and the USA, and accordingly, they have been people, who, for more than 15 years, have been championing the cause of children, helping them to acquire skills and regain hope in life.

In Peru, children work as maids (in slavery-like conditions) while in Cambodia they are sold as slaves to brothels, and in the USA there are many homeless children.

The first nominee, Josefina Condori, has been nominated for the 2008 WCPRC for her long struggle for girls who work as maids in Peru, often in slave-like conditions.

From the USA, Agnes Stevens has been nominated for her 20 year struggle for homeless children in that country. Every year Agnes and her organization, school on wheels, help thousands of homeless children, aged between six and 18.

Somaly Mam was nominated for the 2008 WCRC for her long and often dangerous struggle to save the girls who are sold as slaves and to brothels, in Cambodia. Somaly herself was sold to a brothel as a child, so she wanted all girls who have been slaves to have the some opportunities in life as others.

Many schools work on the world's children prize for weeks or months, and in several different perspectives. But in the Gambia, most schools focus on sensitizing and increasing the awareness of students on children's rights and responsibilities and the role children and young people should play in society.

About 700 kids voted at the St. Joseph ex-pupils Primary School, where the deputy headmistress, Mrs Hannah Cheryl, the process as very important for children, because it exposes them to the realities in life and it teaches them as well about the value of love and sharing, and it also gives them the platform to be able to express their thoughts, views and feelings.

At Old Jeshwang Simon Boliver Lower Basic School, Mrs Elizabeth Ndow, the deputy head mistress, who coordinated the voting process, said that a day was set aside to get the children fully prepared and sensitized on the essence of the global vote 2008 and WCPRC. She further noted that the global vote will serve to expose children to the importance of exercising their voting right and of being heard and represented globally.

"This is very vital for their orientation and up-bringing as children, because they have right to be part of the global voice for children" she added. There was a massive turnout of children at the Serrekunda Lower Basic School, were more than 4,000 students witnessed the voting, conducted by Grade 5 and 6. The school used to be the most prominent school in the Gambia on the global vote and WCPRC. This years vote was also done in style with student campaigning openly for the three candidates.

The WCPRC and the global vote is not a competition. All three candidates have made fantastic contributions to the right of the child, and will be honored for that at the award ceremony. All three also receive prize money that they must use in their work for the rights of the child.