ROV Juvenile Home Project

By Sajitha Rasheed

 

The Childrens’ Home is a Govt home for care and protection of children (under 18). They are not ‘criminals’. They are brought to the home to be taken care of. Some are orphans, some were vagabonds, some are brought forward by their own parents due to difficulty in taking care of them and some are brought over as victims in abuse, violence etc. Some girls are victims and witnesses to rape, sexual abuse legal cases, so their lives are in danger if they are allowed to go out of the home. 

 

From among the other girls, around 30 of them attend schools. As of now, there are around 120-126 inmates. The number would increase during summer vacations as girls studying in boarding schools will return back. 

 

As it is a care and protection program, the girls cannot be legally employed by the home. They are idle most of the day, with a lot of energy to go about which are used, many a times, in destructive ways than proactive. They are bright kids, talented too. Our aim here is to channelize this energy into more proactive, self developing, nurturing ways and mold them into productive, happy individuals. Yes, this is going to be a slow, looooong process and it will take us a lot of investment – in terms of time, patience and genuine care for them.

 

There are 3 large rooms which accommodate around 30 children per room. Each room has 2 toilets and 1 bathroom. As of now, there’s no segregation in the housing in terms of age. (the youngest is 5 yrs old and oldest 17). There’s a water supply problem, in it being irregular. Even if it comes, the girls do not take responsibility in making sure that the water is saved or the plumbing handled with care. There’s a lot of disciplining, with love, that needs to be done here. There are 6 care takers but at a given time, only around 4 would be available. They have just one room with a few beds to take a break in. It is also their permanent residence cos they are all outstation candidates.   

 

A doctor, psychiatrist, yoga instructor, etc. are supposed to visit once a week. It does not always happen. There are 2 teachers to teach reading and writing to kids who are not literate. They have recently started studying computer. MAD visits every weekend to teach English, Hindi and Maths. Other groups from colleges too visit to conduct programs, now and then. As of now, after seeing the report that came in IE, the Gynec’s assctn in Cochin has volunteered to do a medical camp, free, at the home. (as many girls do have gynec problems due to sexual abuse metted out to them earlier.)

 

Objective

 

• To adopt the Childrens Home at Kakkanad by our Organization named ‘Raising Our Voices’ as a long term commitment. 
• To spend time with the children and for the children, to guide, provide and facilitate in their all round development.
• To contribute to their becoming happy, self confident, self sustaining, productive adults.

The Plan

• Each room of children to be assigned to 3 volunteer ‘mothers’. These mothers would spend time with the children creating a rapport, trust and circle of love, over a period of time.
• Each mother would spend 1- 2 hours a week, so a total of 3 – 6 hours by all the 3 mothers would be dedicated to one room of children.
• The ‘mothers’ would prepare a monthly time table in consultation with the home, which when finalised, would be adhered to.
• The mothers will give lessons in reading, writing and Arithmetic, if necessary. They hope to inculcate in the children a love for books… be it reading, writing or painting. They will have reading sessions, do a book review, have discussions on the book they read. May be watch movies or other educational programs and then have discussions on them.
• The mothers will guide to channelize their energy in to proactive activities like gardening, sports, cooking, dancing, singing, developing skills, talents, etc.
• The mothers will ensure that the children assigned to her are physically healthy and clean. Ensure that nails are cut, baths are taken, de-lice their hair, clean clothes are worn, etc.
• Mothers will guide to instill a sense of discipline in them and impart lessons in being responsible for their belongings and the home.
• If needed, religious lessons can be imparted to children who ask for it.
• Create a sense of family, love and belonging.
• Hold healthy competitions like ‘the cleanest room’, ‘the best vegetable patch’, best dancer, singer, painter, sports, etc.
• Create a library for the children.
• Find funds to provide material things like new clothes, under clothes, stationary, books, toys, etc.