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Young World
Towards a brighter future
SANGEETH KURIAN
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Life isn’t easy but these children are doing their best.
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Photo: C. Ratheesh Kumar
Aswasatheeram 2008: An enjoyable get together.
Jincy and her three sisters lost their mother. She was killed by their father for having Jincy and her sisters. In short she died because she had only girl children. It was their ailing grand-parents who highlighted the plight of the siblings to the volunteers of Child Centre, a support group, from the South Kerala Diocese based in the city.
The siblings were among the 100 children in the 5-18 age group who had come togetherfor “Aswasa theeram 2008,’ a three-day residential camp for children and family members of prisoners serving life-term sentence in the Thiruvananthapuram, Kannur and Kozhikkode prisons in the State.
Like Jincy and her sisters almost all the children who attend the camp have a poignant story to tell.
“But most of them are reluctant to open up due to their bitter experiences,” said Rev. Paulson.
Difficult tales
Similarly Indira found it difficult to pursue her education after her father was killed by her mother in a fit of madness. She is now married, while her sister and brother are pursuing their education with financial assistance from the centre. “The camp is aimed at motivating the family members, especially children by opening up various options available to them for leading a better life,” said D.L. Paulson, co-ordinator, Child Centre. The centre, which provides the participants with the necessary travel expense and accommodation, has been conducting the camp for the last three years. “The gathering is open to people belonging to all religious denominations. “We are careful not to bring in any religious angle to this get-together,” said Rev. Paulson. “We also get in touch with the prison authorities and update our register of family members on a periodic basis,” said Rev. Paulson.
Today there are over 100 children who are receiving regular financial assistance from the centre. The funding is provided by the Bangalore-based Churches Council for Child and Youth Care.
The sessions handled by artists and experts included life development skills, games, folk songs, skits and academics.
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