WORKSHOP ON PREVENTION OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE

November 19 is observed as International Day for the Prevention of Child Abuse worldwide. On this day of 2011 Karunalaya conducted a workshop on prevention of child sexual abuse at Don Bosco Youth Centre, Broadway. The reason for children becoming victims of child abuse is lack of awareness about the issue and knowledge of safety network. The children may have been involved in sexual misuse/ abuse, either as ‘victims’ or as the active ‘perpetrators’. These children may not think in terms of misuse or abuse though street and slum environments often do not give clear message about what is acceptable (OK) and what is not acceptable (not- OK) in sexual situations. This Workshop is to educate children to understand the strategies and sensitize on the prevention of sexual abuse and other forms of abuse. Children are also be taught with internationally acclaimed methods of personal safety and safety network involving them in activity based exercises from our sexual health intervention project for street and slum children. Around 100 children participated in this workshop and gained knowledge how to protect them from child abuse. These children also assured that they will spread this awareness to their friends and children in their school and neighbourhood to empower and protect them.

Former Child Labourers Mela 2011

Karunalaya had organized a mela on 17/09/2011 at Don Bosco Youth Centre, Broadway for the former child labourers which aimed at giving an exposure to the kids and showcasing their talents. Dr. Paul Sunder Singh, Director, Karunalaya welcomed the gathering. Mr. John Bosco, President, Karunalaya honoured the Chief Guest Mr. T. Arjunan, Project Director National Child Labour Project who said the project was very essential to tackle child labour in the country as childhood is a period of development and each child should enjoy this period rather than being exploited as child labourers. Former child labourers were provided an opportunity to give their testimony on stage, they spoke about their painful experience as child labourers which moved the hearts of everybody gathered for the great event. The time for enjoyment started for the children. Sports, competitions, and fun games, stalls were opened and the children participated with full energy. Gift packs were distributed to the children and staff which made the children even happier. Around 1000 children participated in the mela and while leaving the children requested to conduct such mela once in three months which shows how the children enjoyed it. The event was supported by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in India.

Famil Counselling Centre

Women empowerment project supported by Seniors without Borders (Denmark) was commenced from 01.08.2011. The main objective of the project intervention is empowering the women to promote and protect their rights. Ms.Inge and Ms. Margrethe Bogner visited Karunalaya on 11.01.2012 for evaluation of the project. Mrs. Bakiam Paul Sunder Singh honoured the special guests by offering shawl. They interacted with the Director and the staff team about the project. The Family Counselling Centre was inaugurated by them. The women of our target areas face different types of violence in their day to day life. This centre will help them to find solutions for their problems. The trained women and adolescent girls performed a miming skit on different types of violence against women, which was later converted as a forum theatre by the Director and invited the women participants to act out solutions to the problem situations depicted in the mime show. The Guests said that the actions speak more than words which are exactly proved through the miming show. They assured they would visit the target areas in their next visit.

Get together of Karunalaya Staff team

Every year we celebrate Christmas as Karunalaya family get together. The staffs are divided into 4 teams and fun games, cultural competitions conducted among the team. The celebration started overnight, each team was given a specific responsibility with theme. The staffs begin to decorate the premises and involved in practicing for the Christmas get together. Creating a crib, decorating the venue for outdoor and indoor activities, backdrop for the event and food distribution were the 4 team roles. The program commenced with Christmas carols and message by each team. After breakfast our President along with the Director conducted fun games both outdoor and indoor for the teams and all the staff participated with full enthusiasm. Finally there was cultural competition and Christmas gift was distributed to all the staff. The event was full of fun and enjoyment and created family oneness.

India and Srilanka Children's Cultural Exchange Fest

The children from Srilanka staged their cultural show at Karunalaya on 19.12.2011 and exchanged their experience and understanding of both countries with children in India, particularly at our shelter home and from the slum communities. Mr. Mark Mahle and Ms. Sandhiya Bharghavi were the Chief Guests and Ms. Rathna Pushpakumari was presented with an Award of Appreciation for her dedicated service for many years. The President of Karunalaya Mr. John Bosco presided over the programme and presented the Award.