The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security has teamed up with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to host a camp for 30 children who have been affected by domestic and family violence.
A Government Informa-tion Agency (GINA) press release said the intervention aims to educate 30 children, between the ages of nine and fifteen, about domestic and family violence, how to seek help and about their rights and responsibilities as children.
The camp which started on August 26 and will run until Friday, was organised by the ministry in collaboration with the ILO’s International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC) and Tackling Child Labour Through Education (TACKLE). It is being held under the theme “Our Children, Our Future”.
The 30 children are those who are vulnerable and are from single parent homes or those who dwell with extended families because of the loss of a parent to death stemming from domestic violence or those with a parent who is incarcerated due to domestic abuse.
Chief Probation and Social Services Officer at the ministry, Forbes Munroe, told the children that the camp is a reflection of the ministry and its partners’ commitment to their well-being and development.
“This event here, is saying to you that there are people in this society who are going to be there for you, who will stand up for you, who will be mentors for you, who will be coaches for you,” Munroe told the children. “Do not for one moment think that you are left out, you are not left out. Do not for one moment think you are stigmatised, marginalised, pushed in a corner,” he said.
According to GINA, Munroe pointed out that the stakeholders understand the obstacles that these children face and the camp is one way it will use to help them to overcome trauma. “It is our intention, even for those children who might be affected in one way or the other…we want to be standing with you, whatever the circumstances are,” he said. Munroe said the camp will serve as a reminder that it takes a community to raise a child.
“You are not responsible for the circumstances that you find yourselves in,” Project Coordinator, Sharon Patterson told the children. She explained to the children that for the duration of the camp persons will help them to understand that greatness lies in each and every one of them.
Patterson advised the children to stay in school as a sound education will help them to secure a decent job and future and will lessen instances where they can be lured into child labour. She also advised them that reading is the gateway to knowledge.
Officer-in-Charge of the Georgetown Prison Carl Graham said that part of the role of the penitentiary is to provide the necessary support welfare mechanism for the incarcerated inmates and their families. He said that the prison has worked to provide several inmates with paying jobs so that they can make financial contributions to their families even while incarcerated.
University Lecturer Debbie Hopkinson conducted Monday’s session. She focused on topics such as who is a child, the rights and responsibilities of a child, what is domestic violence/ abuse and types of abuse. Joy Wilson was to conduct self-esteem building sessions with the children yesterday.
Today the children will be taken on a tour of the museum, lighthouse, zoo and botanical gardens.
Child Psychologist Dr Faith Harding will conduct a therapeutic session on overcoming the psychological effect of domestic and family violence tomorrow. On Friday the children are expected to participate in arts and craft.
