The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Helping them to build life afresh

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Monday, Nov 10, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Helping them to build life afresh

Staff Reporter

Gowpathya
Makkala Kendra rehabilitates abused child workers

Bangalore: After a year of hard work, the Gowpathya Makkala Kendra (GMK), or the Confidential Centre for Children, was inaugurated in Basapura village, off Hosur Road.

GMK is a an effort of the Karnataka wing of the Domestic Worker’s Movement, which also looks after children who are abused when they are hired as domestic help. “When we rescue children who are made to work as domestic labour, some of them suffer severe trauma because of the abuse they have undergone,” said Jerson C.P., Director of GMK, adding that the centre, which can house 20 children, will be especially for the children who need more than just food, clothing, shelter and education. “We have tied up with St. John’s Medical College where doctors from the Child Psychiatric Department will treat the children,” he added.

As of now, the GMK has 12 children, receives rescued children from Domestic Workers’ Welfare Home and other non-government organisations. Mr. Jerson said the children would not be permanently stationed at GMK. “The maximum time that they can stay here is one year,” he said and added that after one year was over, they would be sent back to their parents after treatment.

Jeanne Devos, founder of the Domestic Workers’ Movement Organisation, inaugurated GMK along with Rector Marc Vervenne, Chancellor of KU Leuven, Belgium.

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