Introduction
Raki.ki Kidogo is an online learning community provided to schools by Gemin-i.org, an educational charity. Through Rafi.ki Kidogo students can make friends across the world and participate in exciting educational projects.
Gemin-i.org
Rafi.ki Kidogo believes that it is always unacceptable for a child or young person to experience abuse of any kind and recognises its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all children and young people, by a commitment to practice which protects them.
We recognise that:
- the welfare of the child/young person is paramount;
- all children, regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation or identity, have the right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse; and
- working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people's welfare.
The purpose of this policy is to provide:
- protection for the children and young people who use Rafi.ki services; and
- Gemin-i staff and volunteers with guidance on procedures they should adopt in the event that they suspect a child or young person may be experiencing, or be at risk of, harm through the Rafi.ki Kidogo wesbite.
We will seek to safeguard children and young people by:
- adopting a Code of Conduct;
- recruiting staff and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made;
- sharing information with the relevant Teachers about any concerns Gemin-i may have of abuse or bullying on the Rafi.ki Kidogo website; and
- providing effective management for Gemin-i staff and volunteers through supervision, support and training.
Access to Rafi.ki Kidogo
The community areas of the Rafi.ki Kidogo website is carefully password protected. Access is only provided to known and verified users. All relevant Gemin-i.org employees are subject to Criminal Records Bureau Enhanced Disclosure.
Preservation of Student's Identities
The personal details of students taking part in Rafi.ki Kidogo will be carefully preserved, may be disclosed to Gemin-i staff and volunteers on a need to know basis and otherwise kept confidential. The students’ surname’ will appear only to the teacher who registered them.
Rafi.ki Kidogo Code of Conduct
The Rafi.ki Kidogo Code of Conduct sets out simple guidelines for behaviour on Rafi.ki Kidogo. All students should be made aware of the Code of Conduct before their participation in Rafi.ki Kidogo. Any breaches by students of the Code of Conduct will be reported to the relevant Teacher and if necessary the Head Teacher and may result in banning from use of the Rafi.ki Kidogo website.
Teacher's Responsibility
It is the responsibility of Teachers to ensure that their students' contributions comply with this Policy, their school's Acceptable Internet Use Policy and the Rafi.ki Kidogo Code of Conduct.
Moderation
All content (including chat room and email usage) is recorded, and tagged back to the author. Gemin-i.org facilitators moderate Rafi.ki Kidogo and will report any breaches of the Code of Conduct to the relevant Teacher and if necessary Head Teacher. The Gemin-i.org Director of Operations is responsible for compliance with this child protection policy.
Further Information
Further information is available at www.rafi.ki and www.gemin-i.org or by contacting Gemin-i directly by email at info@rafi.ki
Distribution of this Policy
This Policy is distributed to schools before their participation in Rafi.ki Kidogo. At the school's discretion this Policy can be distributed to parents of students before their participation in Rafi.ki Kidogo. This Policy will be available for potential partners of Gemin-i.org.
Rafi.ki Kidogo Code of Conduct
The Gemin-i Code of Conduct reads as follows and any alterations will be published on the Rafi.ki Kidogo website:
OK guys, here are the rules for Rafi.ki Kidogo. We try to keep these to a minimum, but these ones are really important. Please read and follow all of these:
Stay Safe
- Only use your first name or username. Please do not use your or anyone else's surname anywhere on the site.
- Don't give out your home address or telephone number.
- Keep your password secret. Don't give it to anyone, including friends, parents or even pets.
- Your teacher will arrange any meetings between schools. Don't arrange to meet other people yourself.
Language
- Use polite and respectful language — no swearing or bullying please. Try to avoid using !!!!!!! and ALL CAPITAL LETTERS — it can get a bit difficult to read.
- If you see others using bad language, do not reply. Report it to the Rafi.ki Team (we're all in the Atlas) and tell your teacher.
- Use plain English and avoid slang words and txt spk. Many people you meet will speak English as a second language.
Material
- Only upload files to Rafi.ki Kidogo that you have definitely been given permission to use. Don't infringe anyone's copyright.
Actions
- Remember you are talking to real people, possibly from a different country. Always respect their feelings, beliefs and opinions, even when they are different from yours
- Be patient. If someone doesn't reply to you immediately it may be because they don't have the same access to computer equipment / bandwidth you do, and schools in other countries often have holidays at different times.
- If you see anybody breaking the rules, contact one of the Rafi.ki team or email info@rafi.ki.
Facilitators
- Rafi.ki Team facilitators and teachers will be looking round Rafi.ki Kidogo and dealing with any issues. If you do not follow this Code of Conduct, your teacher may be informed and you may be banned from the site. So please use Rafi.ki Kidogo sensibly and thoughtfully, but make sure you have fun too!
