BIS # 3617 CHILD SAFETY NET

by Cl. Sandeep Parmar 

 

WADALA-MUMBAI, AUGUST 6, 2013: Shelter Don Bosco organized a workshop on Child Safety Net for the existing NGO's of Mumbai city on 30th of July 2013. The Goal for this workshop was to campaign for Child Safety/Protection Net through Homelink Network partners / stakeholders as a preventive strategy.

16 NGO's with 29 members participated in the workshop. The workshop began with a welcome song which was melodiously sung by the shelter boys. Following which all the members from the various NGO's were welcomed by Fr. Roger Jones, the Director of Shelter Don Bosco. The initial part of the workshop focused on the current situation of the children who are poor, marginalized and neglected.

There were six speakers who were very inspiring and thought provoking. They were successful at capturing the attention of all the participants. The speakers were: Ms. Aarti Joshi who spoke about child labour, Mrs. Shashikala who spoke about children home in the city of Mumbai, Mr. Milind Bidwai from Salam Balak trust, who shared his experience of working with the Pardhi community and begging children, Ms. Prachi from Prerna spoke about her dealings with children of commercial sex workers, Ms. Grace Jones, who shared her experience about outreach work at various stations in Mumbai. Finally, Fr. Jesu Robinson shared his experience of the boys at Shelter Don Bosco and missing child. 

After the input session, the participants were divided into four groups to discuss the various issues associated with child care and protection. Sr. Jacintha Pinto from Don Bosco Bal Prafulta, moderated the presentation and initiated into sharing of views and ideas. The group discussion was lively and vibrant; all were immersed in the sharing. The workshop came to an end with rigorous discussion, inputs and development of an action plan based on networking, common forum and follow up programs. Sneha Sagar, Malad, Mumbai was decided upon as the venue for the next meeting.