BOSCO Bangalore under the CREAM Project organized a two days training for the leaders of child rights clubs (CRC) at KSCPCR conference hall on April 9, 2018. While inaugurating the programme, Dr. Kripa Amar Alva, Chairperson, KSCPCR, said, “We see God in children. This place belongs to children. Providing service to children is equivalent to serving the Almighty”. Mr. Mariswamy, Member, KSCPCR, highlighted the rights of children and the role of the civil society in the protection and promotion of the same. Ms. Margaret Sampath, SICHREM, speaking on the occasion emphasized on human rights, process and protocols to be followed in case of violation of human rights. Fr. Regi, Director, BOSCO Nilaya, said, “Rights and responsibilities are like a pair of eyes. We have to be responsible citizens to safeguard our rights as well as the rights of our fellow citizens”. Fr. Mathew Thomas, Executive Director, BOSCO, Bangalore and Mr. Ramaswamy, Coordinator, CREAM Project spoke on the occasion. At the interactive session, children mentioned various issues like, infrastructural deficiency in schools, insufficient number of teachers, child labour, school dropouts etc. The authorities present assured the children that the issues would be addressed on a priority basis in a time-bound manner. In the afternoon a session on leadership qualities was facilitated by Fr. Regi, at cubbon park, Bangalore.
On the second day, a session on team-building and problem solving was facilitated by Fr. Prasad SDB, Director, CHILDLINE, BOSCO, Bangalore, at BOSCO, Mane, Chamarajpet. Mr. Shivamallu, Coordinator, Foster Care Project, BOSCO Bangalore, briefed about the project and exhorted children to avail the systems and mechanisms in place for the protection of children. A session on social responsibility and unity was facilitated by Fr. Regi. Mr. Ramaswamy animated the discussion about the ‘way forward’. Certificates were awarded to the participants. Ms. Vinnarasi, social activist, CREAM Project proposed the vote of thanks. Seventy leaders from thirty CRC’s of various schools participated in the training.
