Natasha Almeida
MUMBAI, DECEMBER 1, 2009: The Young at Risk (YaR) Forum, India along with the Mumbai Province Hub based at Shelter Don Bosco, Wadala organized a capacity building programme on Homelink and Missing Child Search Network today at the Provincial House, Mumbai. This day long programme aimed at training the 26 participants on the use and advantages of both the networks.
In attendance for the programme were Provincial Fr. Michael Fernandes; Mrs. Minaxi Jaiswal, Chairperson of the Maharashtra State Commission for Child Rights; Fr. Joe Prabu, National Director of Homelink Network, Fr. Placido Fonsceca, founder of Snehasadan, Fr. William Falcao, Rector of Shelter Don Bosco and directors and Co-ordinatorsof 12 networking organizations (Salesian and non Salesian) from Mumbai province.
The programme began with the lighting of the lamp and a prayer dance. Mrs. Jaiswal, the guest of honour for the occasion, in her inaugural address stressed about fulfilling children’s rights through networking. Fr. Joe Prabu briefed the participants on Child Management Information Systems and Services (CMISS) and how this software can restore back to children their rights of survival, protection, development and participation. Towards the end of his introductory address he threw a challenge to the participants to create possibilities for children. Fr. Placido in his address said, “Technology should be balanced with the human touch. Both psychological and emotional support should also be addressed by Homelink.” The Provincial made the participants aware that since its initiation in 1998 Homelink today has grown to have 70 networking partners with 8 regional offices across India.
Before the participants moved to the computer lab, Fr. Joe presented them with a birds eye view of Homelink and CMISS. The first session at the computer lab taken by the resource persons Mr. Austin Francis and Mr. Vinod Kumar from the Homelink Technical team focused on the installation and customization of the software. Post lunch the session dealt with Child Flow and Child Tracking system. In the last session of the day the resource persons primarily focused on the services offered by the networking organization viz., physical, mental and psychological to children.
The mission of this network is to develop an Information Management System and a Network which contribute to speed, process, systems, knowledge and to ensure care, protection and development of every child through the networking of NGOs & Govt. Bodies.
Today child development is one of the important areas which need attention and care. Many children are reported to be missing but at the same time there is no effective strategy designed so far at the National Level. To identify the missing children a concerted multi-pronged effort is required. Hence, Home Link / Missing Child Search Network were conceived to answer such call. Adding technology in child development is a challenge in the present day and the structure that is created through the Homelink software and its network is an effort in this level.