Wednesday Oct 02, 2024
Wednesday Oct 02, 2024
Saturday, 21 September 2013 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The goal of the workshop was to help raise well-balanced children by enhancing the knowledge of caregivers and recognising the caregivers for the invaluable service they render society through their work. RCCW organised the workshop in collaboration with the Department of Probation and Childcare Services of the Southern Province.
Eighty-seven caregivers from Halpathota Detention Home, Certified School Hikkaduwa, Ruhunu Children Home, Senehasa Children Home, Remand Home, and Department of Probation & Childcare Services – Southern Province attended the workshop.
Many caregivers declared at the end of the workshop that, due to their participation in the workshop and realising the unique role they play in serving this marginalised group of children, they had resolved to fulfil their duties at their respective workplaces with greater commitment, dedication and loyalty than before.
The workshop’s resource panel consisted of subject matter experts who motivated the caregivers by sharing invaluable knowledge and expertise with the caregivers: Mahanama Dodampegama, Managing Director, SMM Halcyon (Spiritual Development); M.T. Dharmasena, Superintendent, Juvenile Home, Halpathota (Lessons Learnt in Managing a Juvenile Home); Dr. Kuma Iddamallena, Chairman, Wisdom Trainer International (Self-esteem and Self-confidence, Motivation, and Orientation Procedures); Professor Sujeewa Amerasena, former Chairman, Galle District Child Protection Committee (Procedures and Best Practices in Child Protection); E.K. Ariyadasa, former Assistant Commissioner, National Department of Probation and Childcare Services (Legal Framework and Governmental Child Protection Agencies); Madhu Munasinghe, Clinical Psychologist, National Child Protection Authority (How to Receive and Handle Special Children); and Shakira Siddeek, Nutritionist, Healthy Life Clinic, Colombo (Importance of Nutrition for Growing Children).
Commenting on the workshop, Jerome Rajendram, President, RCCW explained: “When I visited Halpathota Children’s Detention Home some time ago, I noticed the thoughtful child-friendly practices and the high standards of cleanliness and efficiency maintained by the Superintendent M.T. Dharmasena and his staff. It was this admiration for the facility that led me to initiate the Juvenile Home Caregivers Workshop to enhance the knowledge of caregivers and administrators of juvenile homes under the purview of the Department of Probation & Childcare Services, Southern Province so that they may better serve the children under their charge and ensure the children’s successful integration into mainstream society as useful citizens. To this end, we trained the staff in a comprehensive array of subjects ranging from child psychology to nutrition, from best practices in receiving children to how to manage a detention home with care.”
In her address at the certificate distribution ceremony at the end of the workshop, Indumini D. Liyanage, Commissioner, Department of Probation & Childcare Services, Southern Province, thanked the participants for their presence and active participation in the workshop and wished them well in carrying out their duties in a more professional and caring manner. She commended RCCW for initiating the workshop to uplift the lot of the children.
Yukthi Gunasekera, Director, Community Service, RCCW observed: “This workshop received accolades even before it was held. By organising this workshop, RCCW has not only addressed an un-catered for need in the community but also blazed a new trail that other likeminded persons and organisations can traverse. We wish to place on record our gratitude to our sponsors AIA Insurance, NDB Bank and Dart Global Logistics for making this worthy project possible.”
