NGOs join forces to create awareness on child protection issues |12 September 2017

Educational games, quiz and group work were used to help the participants identify groups or individuals in their communities who can intervene on their behalf

The National Council for Children (NCC) and the Everlasting Love Ministry (ELM) have joined forces to shed further lights on child protection issues in Seychelles.

The two partners merged their efforts through a half-day session held at the headquarters of NCC at Bel Eau where a number of teenagers were summoned for their views and participation on the topic.

Age between 11 to 16 years, some of the participants revealed that they have personally experienced or observed others being abused or neglected.

“Most adults in my community indulge in drug abuse or alcohol, so most of us are often left to fend for ourselves,” said one child who for obvious reason will remain anonymous.

Teenage pregnancies as well as drug and alcohol abuse were also other challenges that the participants hailing from the Mont Fleurit and English River district say they observe on a daily basis in their communities.

“I know parents who are willing to allow their children to sell themselves for sex just to earn money,” stated another participant.

Other issues such as abandonment, child labour and prostitution were also highlighted as major challenges by the participants.

Using materials from the South African hailed campaign ‘Courage’, NCC which is the local partner of the campaign, used educational games, quiz and group work to help the participants identify groups or individuals in their communities who can intervene on their behalf.

“Children rely on adults to support or advise them and when they really need help, it has to come from the right person and at the right time,” says Brigitta Camille, coordinator of the ELM. 

With the aim of helping more young people, she explains that the NGO has recently upscaled its activities through different programmes in the community.

With children hailing from known ‘troubling neighbourhoods’ of the two districts, such as Corgate Estate, the NGOs hope that the participants will now have the skills and knowledge to deal with their everyday challenges in a more positive way.

“Most of them did not even know that there are such services that could help protect them,” stated Vernette Celestine, one of the facilitators of the half-day programme.

When in need, children are encouraged to contact NCC on 4283900 or visit us on Facebook or twitter.