Merry Christmas

Staff Picnic

Our Team's Day Out

30th  of November 2013 was a long awaited and a welcome break for our team of staff. Social Work is almost a full time and dedicated job. Our team needed a break and the responsibilities were handed over for a day to some of our earlier and experienced staff and we picnicked to Thripparappu, Thottil Palam and Kanyakumari. It was indeed a day of fun, enjoyment and togetherness for our team of twenty staff. Some snaps are seen below:

Why can't we stop it

Why can’t We Stop it?

Seven year old girl child Adithi was denied food and beaten to death by her father and step mother at Calicut.  The case was charge sheeted 18th July. Five Year old Shafeek from Kattappana, Kerala was at death bed due to continued torture by his father Shereef and step mother Aleesha for more than a year. At Palakkad, a 14 year old girl has been repeatedly abused by her step mother’s relative and her own father. The news of the same arrived on July 21st. On October 28th,  Trivandrum CHILDLINE has intervened and rescued a nine year old child from Nedumangad who has been sexually abused by her step father. In Alakode (Kannur district), the case of a girl who had been sexually abused for the past six years by her parents and 5 others has come to light a few days ago.  She was forced into prostitution for money. In Trivandrum a girl’s hand was fractured because of violence from father after drinking, last week. Such story goes on every day.

As per statistics from the State Crime Bureau, this year till March there have been 159 incidents of rape against children, 10 cases of murder, 33 cases of kidnapping and abduction. Other cases against children are 270. Till March this year, about 480 cases of crime against children have been recorded in the State of Kerala.

WHY SO?  WHY THE MADNESS AGAINST INNOCENT CHILDREN?

This is the question asked by people everywhere. From our experience of dealing with cases of children, we have the following observations to make.

1.     Increasing number of family Breakups: Kerala is named the divorce capital of Asia with highest number of divorces. The ultimate sufferer of a divorce is always the child. The child has to bear up with the mental tensions created by the quarreling of parents, will have to adjust to step parents who will often show discrimination towards children not their own.

2.     Working Parents:  In vast number of families both parents are working to support the family and children often move from tuition – school – tuition routine without possibility for interaction with the parents. The parents think that providing provisions and satisfying the material needs of children are sufficient. There is ever increasing mental tension among children due to the fact that they are unable to feel the love and care of parents. Such children’s mental health suffer and they become future misfit parents of the society.

3.     Deteriorating Mental Health of the Society: Studying the cases of last four months intervened by CHILDLINE, we find that one of the biggest problems faced by children in families is due to deteriorating mental health of parents or siblings. In our State, there are very good hospitals and treatments for all physical illnesses but the all important mental health issues of people are often not treated and the repercussion of the same is much more long lasting and damaging than that of physical sicknesses. Only those with personality disorders and psychological illnesses can unleash such mindless violence towards innocent children.

4.     Uncontrolled onslaught of and access to media: There is a generation gap between parents and children especially in the case of usage of technological devices such as mobile, T.V and other media accessories (a digital divide). This leads to unwanted usage of the same without the knowledge of parents especially among the lower middle class and the poorer sections of society. There is bombardment of false information and sexually explicit content. Access to sexually explicit contents among children is much more than in the previous generation. From childhood onward children are exposed to violence and sex in movies, video games etc. Children become unable to distinguish between real world and the virtual world. When they grow up this turns into abnormalities. Previous generation’s abused kids are sure to turn into abusers in the present time. The present children need to be guided well to form sane future parents.

5.     Alcoholism and Drug Abuse: Kerala society consumes highest amount liquor every year. Drunkards and Drug addicts cannot behave normally. Domestic violence and victimization of children take place due to increased alcoholism prevalent in the present Kerala Society. Children of alcoholic parents follow the example and there are cases of use of alcohol even among upper primary school children.

6.     Laxity in implementation of Laws: India has laws to provide care and protection for children. Many of these laws are based on international standards and the latest law to stop sexual violence against children is also good. Our Problem is the proper implementation of the same, the lack of awareness of the laws among enforcement and implementing agencies and the fact that the systems provided in the laws have not been set up.  Because of this the accused often go unpunished and victim does not get immediate justice and justice delayed is justice denied.

How to STOP It?

1.     Care for children of litigating parents

As soon as family problems crop up the children will be pulled to their side by each parent and constant fights and tensions will negatively affect the mental health of children. As soon as the divorce litigation process commences there should be an intervention to separate the children from the parents with possibility to interact with both parents separately. Once the process is completed, though not the best situation, the children can be restored to the either father or mother as per court orders with possibility to meet the other parent occasionally. This will protect children from the trauma of constant quarrel and consistent persuasion to join sides and a healthy relation can be maintained with both parents separately.

2.     Caring Teachers:

Schools need to take the role of parents considering the present social situation of Kerala. Mere syllabus based education needs to be changed to a life oriented education.  The mental, psychological, behavioral issues of children needs to be spotted by the teachers and life skills and mentoring should be provided by teachers to create a healthy student population. For this, a drastic change in curriculum with proper training to teachers is required. The fact that the children are in school for most part of the day should be used by teachers to provide integral education to children. Parent teacher communication and involving parents and letting them know the child’s needs and improvement is important. A file for each child recording his/her progress in all the aspects of life is a must. A new teacher must study the file and know the child before interacting with a particular student.

3.     Psychological Health:

Children with behavioral or psychological issues should be assessed by a clinical psychologist in schools and by involving the parents. Proper guidance and medical assistance should be provided to those who require it. When the child grows with the knowledge of his problem and ways to deal with it, he/she can grow into maturity knowing full well how to handle him/her. This will make him/her to adjust to a family life in the future. Lack of knowledge of psychological issues produce family issues and the children too will grow up retarded.

4.     Media Education and laws:

Proper Media education and filtered and monitored media access should be provided to children. Most of the movies that children watch in TVs and Movie houses are unfit for them. Children who are over exposed to violence and sex in TV programmes, Video Games, and Cartoons turn out to be delinquent as they will form a conscience which is indifferent to feelings as the impressions in small age retain in the mind without much rational thinking. Very interesting and age appropriate media access should be provided to children. For this proper law making banning age inappropriate materials to children is necessary. New educative and engaging video games can be created using advanced technology. The digital divide can be overcome through education in schools and also training for parents in schools.

5.     Preventive Education:

Alcoholism and drug abuse needs to be controlled among children. For this proper awareness classes and monitoring in the school campus is a necessity. Proper observation of children in classes with the help of child rights clubs formed in classes can prevent such issues. Children themselves can monitor and identify children who need help for overcoming such issues.

6.     Laws for Children:

Proper implementation of law and some amended and new laws to protect children in Kerala are the need of the hour. Special Juvenile Police Units, a requirement under JJ act have not been established in Kerala. The child Rights Commission is not fully functional in Kerala.  The Juvenile Justice act though provides many protections for children there are still some loop holes. Children who are physically abused have very little respite in the JJ Act. Maximum punishment as per section 23 for a physical abuse is six months. Though we can argue that there is IPC, there are still problems. Children are defenseless and vulnerable unlike adults. IPC would consider children below 7 as ‘doli incapax’ (incapable of committing a crime) and a crime against such a child does not require to consider the principle of natural justice ie; ‘hear the other party’ and hence needs to be treated at a much graver level.

In order to reduce the juvenile crime rates it is important to sustain the children in School till they complete the age of 18. As the financial status of families in Kerala is better compared to that of other states, we should ban all child labour up to 18 years. Free and compulsory education of children up to 18 years, banning of all child labour until 18 years and special courts for immediate justice to children are important considerations the state must look into. For this a new law is required.

Let us join hands for a child friendly Kerala where their rights are protected and they can grow in responsible freedom!

YaR Day

YaR Day Celebration

As part of the YaR (Young at Risk)  Day celebrations, Don Bosco Veedu Society Trivandrum   organised a half day Seminar on the theme “Protect Children from Sexual offences” at Don Bosco Centre, Manacaud on 26^th November, 2013.  The participants for the seminar were Teachers and Counselors’ from high schools of Trivandrum educational district.

The seminar was divided into three sessions.

Session One

The first session dealt on  The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO 2012) and it was handled by Mr Jobi, Life Skill Education Coordinator and CHILDLINE, Team Member. He pointed out that though the Act is there, there is a need to act for the children to protect them from sexual Abuses. He explained all the sections in POCSO Act in a clear and precise manner.

Session Two

The second session consisted of a group discussion led by Sri Manuel George, senior staff of Don Bosco Veedu Society.  The Participants were divided into six groups and provided with paper cuttings of one sexual abuse case each. Participants were to discuss the case and provide suggestions for three issues namely the reason for the happening, what could have been done to avoid it and what could be done when the worst has happened to the child to support him/her.  Each group leader presented their findings to all the participants.

Session Three

Fr. P D Thomas, Director   Don Bosco led the final session of the seminar with the theme “Prevention is better than Cure”. Sexual Abuse can be prevented if teachers maintain a strong positive relationship with the students. The teacher   plays a vital role in the growth and development of the child. It is also the responsibility of the teacher to ensure that his/her students study and grow-up in an environment that is free from abuse, exploitation and violence. Teachers can ensure this by taking small steps, like establishing a special bond with their students so that they do not hesitate to discuss their problems and concerns with them. Preventive Education, Why children don’t tell about abuse, When children tell – What to do?, Symptoms of Sexual Abuse among children and reporting abuse were the topics handled by him.

The seminar ended with vote of thanks by Sri. Manuel George, the Coordinator of the Seminar. The seminar ended with lunch for all.

Into a career in six months!

The third batch of Hospitality Trainees of DB Tech has graduated after three months of intensive training at Don Bosco Veedu Skill Training Centre at Manacaud.

The DB Tech programme is a short term (3 months) skill training programme conducted by us at Don Bosco Veedu. The aim of the programme is to provide a skill and certify the same to those youth of the Trivandrum district who are less educated (minimum 10^th grade pass) and are from poor and vulnerable back grounds. These youth often are not able to get into a career due to lack of education and due to lack of certified skills.

Over 170 DB Tech centres across India in collaboration with Accenture, Bosch, and Taj Group of Hotels is providing a set of skills to these youngsters in a short span of three months and another three months of practical training in leading companying which will also absorb them into their system.

Our third batch of Hospitality Management trainees graduated on the 15^th September and is undergoing practical training in different Taj Hotels and in other leading hotels across Kerala. Two new batches in Hospitality and BPO are set to begin soon.

It is heartening to see many youth develop a career in a short span of time thanks to the concentrated efforts of dedicated staff at Don Bosco Veedu Skill Training centre.

Homeward Bound

Rohit, Anil, Vishal and Lakhan had been with us now for more than one year and we have been trying to trace their family during the past year. We tried many means but to no avail. Some of the agencies in North India also helped us in the process. Some of them even agreed to provide shelter to the children and put them up until their family is traced. It is a better way because if the children remained longer with us, they would forget their language and it would become all the more difficult to trace their family later on. We located agencies that were ready to take care of the children in areas close to the native places mentioned by children.

On 24^th of September 2012, Mr. Ratheesh and Mr. Shiva, two staff members of Don Bosco accompanied the children to Delhi, Maharashtra and Chittorgarh, Rajasthan. Anil and Vishal were rehabilitated with Don Bosco Ashalayam, New Delhi. The Child Welfare Committee there initiated the process of finding the parents. Lakhan was takent o Chittorgarh CWC and temporarioly placed at a shelter home with follow up to trace the family. Rohit was brought back as his family could not be traced.

Saved from Hell-Home!

Vineesh is a twelve year old boy and he hails from Valiathura, Trivandrum. For the past three days he had been sleeping in a toilet in his neighbour’s house without them knowing about it. Call came to CHILDLINE when he started taking meals from his friend’s house continuously. When the good neighbour asked about the issue at home, Vineesh spoke about it.

Vineesh had been tied up by his mother because he left home to play with his friends. He has a mother and a step father who is the younger brother of his father. The stepfather and mother are ill treating him every day and making him do all the household chores making him get up at 5 o’clock in the morning.

Call came immediately to CHILDLINE and we rushed to the spot and rescued the child. We took him to the nearest police station and Vineesh spoke at length about the persecution he had to endure at home the marks of which are still visible.

Now Vineesh is happy and is sheltered with our other children at Don Bosco Nivas. We are looking out for a place to make him stay and continue his education

From Empowerment to Emancipation

Seven year old Seema was all ears at the child abuse awareness class conducted by our ‘Success for Success’(S4S) team (Our team which provides life skill and child rights awareness for students, school teachers, parents and other stake holders). Immediately after the class Seema came running to one of our team members and told her about the ‘bad’ dealing of her father towards her often after drinking. She herself said that she knows what to do the next time when it happened.

On our next visit to the school Seeema was found to be very happy and serene. We quizzed her about her home situation. Seema explained to us that when her father made advances towards her she asked him to keep off and told him that she would inform the police and CHILDLINE if he tried ‘bad things’ on her. Her father got a shock of his life and he even stopped drinking!

The experience of Seema was indeed a boost for our team. We could behold the effect of empowerment leading to emancipation. All the children in our schools across Kerala require integral education covering all aspects of life. Life skills are as important as daily lessons. A bookish learning can inform but not educate. Education is bringing out the potentialities of a child to cope with life. Education should empower and emancipate.

Vinod

Vinod from Haryana

Kochuveli RPF personnel called to our helpline and informed about a child sitting at the premises of the railway station very hungry, lean and tired. Our team immediately reached the place and brought Vinod to Don Bosco Nivas. After giving him a bath we took him to the hospital as he was weak and not eaten for days. He was unable to take in food. He looked to be deaf and dumb and he was not speaking. At the hospital when the nurses brought the needles he started talking and was very unwilling to cooperate. Giving him tablets, we brought him back and provided shelter.

Slowly he started taking in liquids and soft bread. He was mentally unstable. He said that he had lost his parents and had no one to care for him. From the fact that he was communicating in English we understood that he did not belong to the street. He always refused to eat rice. With lots of persuasion we managed to take his blood and conducted tests to make sure he did not have any serious sickness.

After three weeks Vinod improved his health and one day he revealed the actual details of his whereabouts. He hailed from Haryana and was belonging to a well to do family. “Though Vinod had some mental instability he never left home before”, said his Father. They were searching all over and had given missing complaint at the police stations in different states. The family was relieved to receive Vinod and they flew back to Haryana with Vinod.

Vinod’s story is one among 12 children we rescued in the past three weeks. 

ONAM ALSO FOR THE DEPRIVED

Onam at Don Bosco Veedu

24 youth of the DB Tech programme of Hospitality Management at Don Bosco Veedu celebrated onam on 11^th of September. The group of trainees from different parts of Trivandrum is provided free training in hospitality management with 100% placement opportunity in collaboration with Taj Group of Hotels. The students who hae dropped out from regular education and have completed 18 years are the target group of the programme. Presently the third batch is under training and the present group is active and learning well. The preparation of the programmes of onam celebration was befitting the hospitality management trainees. The students performed well and also had arranged the stage and sadhya (lunch) very well. The group dispersed for onam holidays  

Onam at Don Bosco Nivas

The children in the shelter home had a wonderful celebration of Onam which lasted almost three days! The Christ Nagar School children gave our children an unforgettable onam. The children of 11^th standard from Christ Nagar School took our children out for onam shopping. They bought new dresses and other gift items for our children on 12^th September. On the 13^th our children were the guests at the onam celebration at Christ Nagar School. All the children were provided onam gifts and onasadhya.

On 14^th September, We celebrated onam at our centre. All the staff and children were present. The programme started at 11.30 with cultural programmes and a solemn onam lunch. Fr. Francis Karackatt, the rector of the institution and Fr. Santhosh were present during the celebration. The children were happy to perform different programmes during the cultural events. The celebration continued after lunch with variety games in which all children participated.

Onam at Karimadom

On September 13^th at 4 pm all the Sthree Jyoti- self help group members, Tuition Children, Sponsored children and those who attended the eye camp and were in need of spectacles gathered at Karimadom Community hall for the onam celebration. Variety entertainment programmes from women and children, Thumbi Thullal (Onam special cultural event), and onam games were part of the programme. The cultural events were followed by distribution of spectacles to all those who required it. There were 24 glasses distributed freely. The Managing Director of Babu Optical, Mr. Babu who sponsored the spectacles was present for the onam celebration. The poor people of Karimadom colony were thankful for the glasses that they received free of cost. The onam celebration ended with payasam (onam sweets) for all.

RAS

Rapid Assessment Survey (RAS)

In collaboration with YaR Netwok (Young at Risk Forum) and Don Bosco Research Centre, Mumbai, Don Bosco Veedu Society is conducting a rapid assessment survey to find the number of street children in Trivandrum. The area covered in the survey consists of 100 wards under the Corporation of Trivandrum city. The survey is carried out in collaboration with the Social Justice Department of the Government of Kerala. Two ICDS – anganwadi workers from each ward of the corporation were selected to conduct the survey. 184 anganwadi workers participated in the training programme conducted by us on 28^th of August 2013

The survey consists of ward wise head counting of street children and interview of three street children from every ward of the corporation. The aim of the survey is to provide information to NGOs, the State Governments, and other stakeholders for planning and implementing a well-coordinated program to meet street children’s needs and respect their basic rights. It also is an opportunity to evaluate the impact of our work for street children since 1991. A survey was conducted by Don Bosco Veedu society in 1994 to determine the number of street children and it was found that there were over 2000 children in the city. Identifying areas where there are street children is also in view of rescuing and protecting them. Our aim is to create a street children free Trivandrum with on the spot intervention to rescue and rehabilitate any child who reaches the streets of Trivandrum.

The survey is being carried out and we hope to finish the same and begin the tabulation and publishing work by 20^th of this month.

Eye Camp

Free Eye camp at Karimadom Colony, Trivandrum

 On 28^th July, 2013 Trivandrum Don Bosco Veedu society conducted a free eye camp jointly with Chaithanya Sight Foundation at Karimadom colony near Manacaud, Trivandrum. Over hundred poor people of Karimadom Colony benefitted from the Camp.

The Local Ward Councilor, Shri. P.S Nair presided over the inaugural function which started at 9.00. am. Fort S.I, Shri. Sherry inaugurated the camp. Chaithanya Sight Foundation Coordinator Shri. Joby Kondoor led an awareness campaign on the importance of eye care. Fr. P.D Thomas, Director, Don Bosco Veedu Society delivered the welcome address and Mr. Thampi, the medical camp coordinator proposed the vote of thanks.

The camp started soon after. As many as 100 people participated in the camp and underwent check up. The team of seven people led by Dr. Teena, efficiently examined those who attended the camp. 18 people needed cataract surgery and over 20 people were prescribed glasses. The State Bank of India and some socially responsible people sponsored glasses for all those who required it and the Chithanya Sight Foundation agreed to provide free treatment to all those with cataract. About 23 people required further checkups at the Chaithanya hospital.

This was indeed a rare chance which the poor people of Karimadom received. Those who required treatment attended the camp and cooperated with the doctors who conducted the examination. The camp which started at 9.00 am ended at 1.00 pm.

Stop It!

Why can’t We Stop it?

Seven year old girl child Adithi was denied food and beaten to death by her father and step mother at Calicut.  The case was charge sheeted three days ago. Five Year old Shafeek from Kattappana, Kerala is at death bed due to continued torture by his father Shereef and step mother Aleesha for more than a year. At Palakkad, a 14 year old girl has been repeatedly abused by her step mother’s relative and her own father. The news of the same has been received today. Two days ago our CHILDLINE has intervened and rescued a nine year old child from Nedumangad who has been sexually abused by her step father. In Alakode (Kannur district), the case of a girl who had been sexually abused for the past six years by her parents and 5 others has come to light three days ago.  She was forced into prostitution for money. In Trivandrum a girl’s hand was fractured because of violence from father after drinking, yesterday.

As per statistics from the State Crime Bureau, this year till March there have been 159 incidents of rape against children, 10 cases of murder, 33 cases of kidnapping and abduction. Other cases against children are 270. Till March this year, about 480 cases of crime against children have been recorded in the State of Kerala.

WHY SO?  WHY THE MADNESS AGAINST INNOCENT CHILDREN?

This is the question asked by people everywhere. From our experience of dealing with cases of children, we have the following observations to make.

1.     Increasing number of family Breakups: Kerala is named the divorce capital of Asia with highest number of divorces. The ultimate sufferer of a divorce is always the child. The child has to bear up with the mental tensions created by the quarreling of parents, will have to adjust to step parents who will often show discrimination towards children not their own.

2.     Working Parents:  In vast number of families both parents are working to support the family and children often move from tuition – school – tuition routine without possibility for interaction with the parents. The parents think that providing provisions and satisfying the material needs of children are sufficient. There is ever increasing mental tension among children due to the fact that they are unable to feel the love and care of parents. Such children’s mental health suffer and they become future misfit parents of the society.

3.     Deteriorating Mental Health of the Society: Studying the cases of last four months intervened by CHILDLINE, we find that one of the biggest problems faced by children in families is due to deteriorating mental health of parents or siblings. In our State, there are very good hospitals and treatments for all physical illnesses but the all important mental health issues of people are often not treated and the repercussion of the same is much more long lasting and damaging than that of physical sicknesses. Only those with personality disorders and psychological illnesses can unleash such mindless violence towards innocent children.

4.     Uncontrolled onslaught of and access to media: There is a generation gap between parents and children especially in the case of usage of technological devices such as mobile, T.V and other media accessories (a digital divide). This leads to unwanted usage of the same without the knowledge of parents especially among the lower middle class and the poorer sections of society. There is bombardment of false information and sexually explicit content. Access to sexually explicit contents among children is much more than in the previous generation. From childhood onward children are exposed to violence and sex in movies, video games etc. Children become unable to distinguish between real world and the virtual world. When they grow up this turns into abnormalities. Previous generation’s abused kids are sure to turn into abusers in the present time. The present children need to be guided well to form sane future parents.

5.     Alcoholism and Drug Abuse: Kerala society consumes highest amount liquor every year. Drunkards and Drug addicts cannot behave normally. Domestic violence and victimization of children take place due to increased alcoholism prevalent in the present Kerala Society. Children of alcoholic parents follow the example and there are cases of use of alcohol even among upper primary school children.

6.     Laxity in implementation of Laws: India has laws to provide care and protection for children. Many of these laws are based on international standards and the latest law to stop sexual violence against children is also good. Our Problem is the proper implementation of the same, the lack of awareness of the laws among enforcement and implementing agencies and the fact that the systems provided in the laws have not been set up.  Because of this the accused often go unpunished and victim does not get immediate justice and justice delayed is justice denied.

How to overcome this malady? Await some practical suggestions in the next article!

Safana – Rescue from Child Marriage

Safana – Rescue from Child Marriage

On 25th June 2013, Safana (aged 16) called to CHILDLINE and informed that her marriage was fixed by her parents. She did not want to marry at such an early age and wanted to continue her studies. She said that she had not been sent to school in the new academic year. Adv. Sandhya (human Rights Law Network) also called to CHILDLINE on the same issue. We contacted Valliathura SI, Mr. Sajin, Fort SI Mr. Prasad and Vanchiyoor police Mr. Baiju Sankar and came to know that the area was under the jurisdiction of Vanchiyoor Police.

They informed that the girl had once run away from home in order to avoid marriage. In order to stop the marriage from happening as it was fixed for the following day, We had to act fast. Though information was passed to the local police, station, the CDPO, the the concerned Jama Ath, no immediate action was being taken as the concerned party were influential. The CHILDLINE team members visited the girl in her home and despite objections talked with the child and collected details and a petition in writing.

Next day morning, the Director called Mr.Sreejith IPS (Top Police Official) and passed the information.  He immediately called up the DCP and asked him to act immediately to stop the marriage. We visited the local police station and passed all the relevant information and the family details of the child. Due to the intervention from top officials, action was taken and the marriage was avoided much to the relief of the child.

It seems that the Kerala society is marching backwards in laws regarding children. Though there are very clear provisions to say that an individual is a child until he/she completes the age of 18, the authorities seem to ignore the same. The recent much criticized circular by the Government brining down the marriageable age of Muslim women to 16 (Rather Muslim Child!) is indeed a shame to the erudite Kerala Society. It is a disgrace that NGOs and other socially responsible citizens have to fight with the Government to make it realize the folly and withdraw the controversial circular.

The case Safana should remind us that a child has her rights to education and full growth before she is burdened with the weight of family life. Often such marriages end with the husband divorcing the poor girl after a few years and she will have to fend for the children. Having no education would often make such women to end their lives as they find it extremely difficult to support the education and other expenses of the family. Let us fight against child marriage!

Local Self Government and a one month old infant

A Supervisor of Manickal Gramapanchayath (LSG) called to our child helpline and passed the information that a one month old infant was being neglected by parents. Our team rushed to the spot to make a study of the actual situation. We found that its mother was mentally ill and the father was a drunkard.   

The situation of the child was pathetic and the family did not have a proper roof. As the mother was mentally ill, she was carrying the child with one hand precariously over the fire and often the infant was in danger. There was an elder child who was 11 years old and having only one pair of torn clothes to wear. The father was a drunkard and rarely reached home.  

Our team immediately sprang into action. With the help of the local self government members, the baby, with the mother and the elder child were rescued and brought to CHILDLINE office. The children were produced before the CWC (Child Welfare Committee) and shelter was arranged for the baby and mother at Mahilamandiram and the boy at our own shelter home.

  We collected the Transfer Certificate of the elder child after finding a children’s home in our locality and presently he is attending school regularly. The mother is being provided with treatment to bring her back to normalcy.  The baby too is safe now.

The Local Self Government’s involvement to help the family is indeed a model to be imitated across the state as it is often a rare example. They were indeed genuinely interested to provide help to the family. They also offered future support when necessary.

Looking back at the number of cases we have dealt with in the near past, we are surprised at the number of cases with mental health problems. It seems that the mental health of the people of Trivandrum is deteriorating.

 There is also another realization that psychiatric disorders among members of the family are a major reason for family break up across the state. There is absolutely no system to decipher such issues in the childhood and measures to provide early help to grow up gracefully with a realization of the problem and measures to take care of it before entering family life.

Better Health for Karimadom

With the onset of monsoon, the Kerala society is on bed due to different illnesses owing to unhygienic conditions. Trivandrum district has hospitals overflowing with patients down with dengue and other dangerous illnesses with deaths being reported every day. Even in the midst of development in the erudite society of Kerala there is absolute failure in terms of waste management and hygiene. The health of Karimadom slum dwellers become vulnerable during the rainy season due to the fact that they do not have good homes and because of sewage entering their homes when the streets are flooded as their homes are built close to the open sewage of the city.

On 15^th June Trivandrum Don Bosco Veedu Society in collaboration with Arogya Keralam, and Fort Taluk Hospital conducted an awareness programme on health care and a half day medical camp.

The medical camp kicked off with an inaugural ceremony in which Fr. Francis Karackatt, the Rector of Trivandrum Don Bosco Veedu presided over and Mr. PS Nair, the ward counselor lighted the lamp. Dr. B Unnikrishnan, the DMO of Trivandrum District led the awareness classes after the inaugural ceremony. After the health and hygiene awareness classes, the medical camp started with three doctors and a paramedic to take care of the patients. Over 150 people from the colony attended the medical camp, underwent check up and received medication. The medical camp ended at 1.30 p.m.

TRIVANDRUM RID OF AN EVIL

Child Labour Free District Declaration

On the International anti child labour Day (12^th June) Trivandrum District has been declared as a child labour-free district. Don Bosco Veedu Society had been networking with the Labour Department, District administration, the Police Department, Social Welfare Department and CHILDLINE to rid the Trivandrum district of the evil of child labour as early as 1993. Years of efforts have been rewarded on 12^th June, 2013 when the Additional District Magistrate of Trivandrum District, Shri. V. R. Vinod proclaimed the District as child labour free district on behalf of the DC of the district Shri. K. N Satheesh.

The function was held at Government Upper Primary School Vellarada, Trivandrum.  The function began at 3. 30 pm. The President of the function, the Panchyat President of Vellarada, Shri. C. Ashok Kumar, the Panchayat Standing Committee chairman, Shri. Mangal Das, Shri. P. Sugathan, the District Labor Officer, the District Coordinator of CHILDLINE, Shri. Maneesh, the School authorities, parents and children were present at the function.

The Director of Don Bosco Veedu Society, Fr. P. D Thomas welcomed the gathering and enumerated the efforts of the Society and other stake holders in eradicating child labour from the district of Trivandrum. He maintained that the declaration would not mean that there will be no more child labourers reaching in the district of Trivandrum but that there would be a system in place to care for the children who would otherwise lose their childhood and a better education and end up in the vicious circle of poverty-child-labour-poverty. It also means that each citizen of the district is bound to act in favour of the child, ready to rescue and protect children from child labour. He welcomed all the participants to the joyful occasion of the declaration.

In the presidential address the panchayat president promised that he will take necessary actions to see that his panchayat is made into a child friendly panchayat. The ADM of the district declared the district as a child labour free district. He also lit the lamp and inaugurated the function. In his speech he appreciated the efforts of the NGOs and Government machinery for the incessant work to make the district child labour free. He exhorted the children to stand up for themselves and be ready to take care of their friends who need assistance to a dignified life and good education.

The declaration was followed by a pledge to act in favour of child labourers. All other dignitaries also appreciated the efforts of CHILDLINE to create a child friendly district where the rights of children are respected. The function ended with words of gratitude by the District Labour Officer.

ADM's Speech on Anti-Child Labour Day

Bollywood Beckons!

Sunita (11 years) and Divya (11 yrs) (Given Name) are VIth grade girl children studying in a well known school in Trivandrum. Hindi being the main language used in the school, the Television channels they watch during summer vacation is also mainly hindi. The parents of both children are working and hence away from home during the day. Both families are neighbours and hence children are close friends.

Having been watching regular reality shows during the holidays together, the children decided to travel to Mumbai to take part in the reality show auditions. They got ready their baggage without the knowledge of parents and left for the railway station on 23^rd May, 2013.

The Women and Child help Booth of Don Bosco at the Trivandrum Railway station is always manned by our staff. They observe the station premises for children travelling alone and for street children. Having spotted the kids, in the railway station our staff quizzed them and found that they were planning to travel to Mumbai without knowledge parents. Our staff brought them to Don Bosco Nivas and after long counseling they revealed their situation.

Both children are from middle class families and Sunitha is the only child 0f her parents.  Both the children were unhappy with their parents.  Divya’s diary contained pages on how she hated her parents. Sunitha had a multimedia phone which was her own.

The parents were surprised and dismayed when we informed them about their children. This is the umpteenth time the surprised look of parents are seen when they come to know what their children are upto! Each information we give to the parents about their children are revelation to them. Having educated the children on the dangers that could have befallen them on travelling alone and having brought them down from ‘reality show’ world to the reality of life we restored the children to their parents.

In the middle class family of present Kerala society both parents are working. The children move from tuition to school to tuition. There is no time for sharing and caring. Hence there is a widening gap between parents and children and the mental health of children is perilously endangered. Strong intervention and education of parents and children are the need of the hour. The children need to feel the love and care of parents and parents need to know what their children are engaged in. Media education to bring children back from the virtual world the world of reality is essential.

The Women and Child Help Centre at the railway station is proving to be a very important intervention to rescue and protect children from being lost. The railway police (GRP) and RPF are also very helpful in locating children who are unaccompanied.