MAKING HOME A SAFER PLACE for the children. As I finished my studies and began work, I started considering what I could do to contribute something positive to the lives of children like them. After making a career shift and studying social work for four years, I met with different organisations in southern India to look at future possibilities and realised how crucial it was for NGOs to share their knowledge and experience, especially in a country as huge as India. I discovered that although project staff are passionate about working with children they are not always educated about childcare. At the same time I was realising how much more useful it would be to create a platform where local experienced NGOs train other child projects around them. In that way the quality of care and the structure of all the projects would improve, and children would be helped much more effectively. As I searched, I found Viva doing exactly this and I was able to join its partner network in Bangalore where I am now part of a fantastic team. By undertaking a ‘big picture’ research project last year I discovered more about why India’s children have touched me so personally and deeply. According to one estimate, 40 per cent of Indian children are in need of care and protection. Many are neglected by poor families and forced to work when they should be at school. I was shocked by the results of one government study in particular: that one in every two children faces sexual abuse and that the prevalence of sexual abuse is proportionately higher in upper and middle class families than in lower or in lower-middle class ones. I’m certainly not the first person to be moved by the needs of India’s children. For many years, child development projects have been focused on providing shelter, food and education. Whilst such intervention is crucial, the physical care of children in India is really only half of the story. I believe that the need for quality emotional care has been underestimated and that psychological support has become a very important basic need. In light of this, I have been supporting the network’s member churches and organisations to be more aware of child abuse and understand how to
better protect children. It has been a challenge to change an established system of care but, with the motivated people in the network, we have begun to shift the mindsets of project staff and help them focus on each child’s emotional development. The network holds training on child care and child protection, whilst also helping churches understand why God calls them to care for children. The network in Bangalore is now training organisations to improve their structure and the quality of what they do, with the ultimate aim of creating a safer environment for the children they serve. I believe the Church is the best place to start making home a safer place for children. When church leaders or family workers are more equipped, a wider group will be reached. It is a privilege to see the network inspire change in many children’s lives as it grows and develops better holistic care for the least in our society. Soundarya Andrea is a social worker supporting Viva’s partner network in Bangalore, India.
Psychological support of children in India has become a very important basic need
88.6% 65% 1 in 2 1 in every 2
abused children are mistreated by their parents of school-going children report corporal punishment children report being emotionally abused – and in 83% of cases parents are perpetrators
Indian children experiences one or more forms of sexual abuse Source: Study on Child Abuse: India 2007; Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India
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