Capacity building Training of Counsellors of Don Bosco YaR centers of Karnataka.

Empowering the counsellors of our Don Bosco YaR centers to understand and assist children with behavioural problems and to equip them to deal with various problems of children and Young at Risk is a pre-requite for the effectiveness of our ministry for the Young at Risk. With this aim the Commission for Young at Risk, Salesian Province of Bangalore, in collaboration with BREADS, Bangalore, organized two days training programme on “Dealing with Children with Behavioural Problems” from 19th to 20thJanuary 2015 at Don Bosco, Provincial House, Bangalore. The training was inaugurated by Fr.Thomas Anchukandam, the Provincial. Fr.Joy Nedumparambil, Executive Director, BREADS, Fr.Kuriakose Pallikunnel, Director, Don Bosco Youth Counselling Service, Kochi and Fr.KuriakosePuthenpurayil, Coordinator, Commission for Young at Risk and Fr.George.P.S, Executive Director, BOSCO, Bangalore were the other guests for the inauguration of the training.

After analyzing the various causes of behaviouralproblems of children, Fr.Thomas Anchukandam urged the participants to become competentso that they can be effective counsellors of children and young especially those who are at risk. He also reiterated our commitment towards children and young at risk.
Fr.Joy Nedumparambil reminded the participants that every child in our center should be given the best care and a child is not a mere number to be added to our centers.
Fr.KuriakosePuthenpurayil addressing the gathering affirmed that our lay collaborators are our asset in our ministry with the Young at Risk. This ministry is carried out effectively because of their commitment and dedication and it is our duty to enhance their skill and capacity so that they can effectively deal with children.
On the first day of training Fr.KuriakosePallikunnel and Mrs.Debbey (from Spain) trained the participants on how art and art therapy can help children with behavioural problems.
On the second day Mrs. Ashwini N.V. Ganig, faculty member in the Post Graduate Department of Psychology at Jain University Bangalore, took sessions on “Cognitive Disorders, Defense Mechanisms and techniques to explore the psycho-social causal factors of Behavioural problems.
The final session was taken by Dr.Sridevi from NIMHANS, on the theme ‘Practical skills needed to counsel children with behavioural problems.
20 counsellors from 10 Don Bosco centers for Young at Risk from Karnataka participated in the training programme.
The valedictory function of the training programme began at 4.00 PM in which Fr.K.O.Thomas, Vice-Provincial, Fr.George.P.S, Executive Director, BOSCO, Bangalore and Fr.KuriakosePuthenpurayil were present.