(ANS – Vilathikulam) – Childrens’ Day celebrations at VEMBU, Vilathikulam had a different tone this year. Instead of the customary celebrations, on 13 and 14 the NGO VEMBU organised a Childrens’ Parliament  training programme to empower the children.

The Salesian NGO “Vembu” (Vilathikulam Empowering Movement for Building the Underprivileged) organised a training programme for children in the rural centres  of Nettur, Keela Eral, Vilathikulam and Sayalkudi in the Salesain Province of India-Tiruchy, inaugurated by Fr. Ricopar Royan, the Director of VEMBU.

The Children and Animators were divided into three groups to facilitate the learning process. The different aspects of the Childrens Parliament, starting from why and how to enjoy the benefits of having a Childrens Parliament were dealt with in detail. Several mock sessions were held to help understand the functioning of the Childrens Parliament. The success stories narrated by the animators and the members motivated the participants to start one at the earliest opportuntiy in their own villages.

As part of their learning process the children were taken for fact-finding trips to different villages. They keenly observed the Childrens Parliament meeting and activities.

Altogether seventy-one children and twelve Field Animators participated in the programme. They also expressed  solidarity with the campaign ``Nine is Mine`` that is currently going on in India to promote child rights.

Published 18/11/2011