(ANS – Vijayawada) –  The National YaR convention on “Care of Children with Behavioural Difficulties” and General Body of Youth at Risk (YaR) Forum  was held on March 1-3, 2014. It was hosted by Don Bosco Navajeevan Bala Bhavan, Vijayawada to mark the occasion of the completion of twenty five years of stalwart service rendered to the young at risk.

170 Delegates from YaR centres of Salesians, Salesian Family, other religious and representatives of GOs and NGOs participated in the convention.

The convention commenced with the Eucharistic celebration presided over by Fr. Maria Charles, the National Coordinator for Youth Ministry. Then, Mr Phani Bhushan, Psychiatrist, shed light extensively on the topic “Behavioural Difficulties and Psychological Needs of the Young at Risk”. He said that emotional wellbeing of children is as important as their physical health and that family, school and society play vital a role in moulding the children.

Dr. Diana Montero, the clinical psychologist, dealt on the topic “Psycho Etiology of Behavioural Difficulties in Children and Adolescents”. She said that our first tendency is to blame the children rather than understand their difficult behavioural problems; so she exhorted educators to get into the shoes of the children.

In the afternoon session, Dr. Dev Manti dealt with the dynamics of Participatory Action Research (PAR) in addressing the behavioural difficulties of children. The  PAR is an attempt to evolve an effective management strategy to enable the children to get to know their behavioural difficulties and to live responsible lives and transform their relationships.

On March 2, Fr. Bellamkonda Sudhakar, the YaR delegate of the Province of Hyderabad, released the Telugu version of Don Bosco Child Policy for Young (YaR). During the first session Sr.Teresa JMJ shared her vast practical experience of working with female children with behavioural difficulties, and  exhorted everyone to educate the children to the value of life and to teach them to manage their attractions and emotions.

Fr. Kuriakose Pallikunnel spoke on the theme “Children With Behavioural Problems and their Family Environment”, while Fr Maria Charles shared his insights on the relationship between the Preventive System of Don Bosco and the recently released Don Bosco Child Policy and Don Bosco Child protection policy.

Fr. John Tharakan and Mr. Dev Manti emphasized that the children under the Salesian care should not suffer any discrimination and subsequent exclusion from care and protection. The convention was concluded with a province-wise group discussion; the delegates made a commitment to take forward the rights of the “orphan children” and also to be part of the national movement towards this noble cause.

On March 3, 2014, the General Body and Governing Body of Don Bosco South Asia Forum-YAR was held. The delegates resolved to rededicate their lives to caring  for young people with behavioural difficulties with the rejuvenated spirit of the convention.

Published on 11/03/2014