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!