Report on Skills buidling workshop Managing programs for Childresn affected by AIDS01

[Guest guest]

Dear All,

This is to report on the skills building workshop held at ICAAP 2001 at

Melbourne.The workshop on " Managing Programs for Children Affected by AIDS

in the South and South East Asia Region " was held in Suite 1 between 1330 to

1500hrs on September 7, 2001 and was attended by 35 participants from all

over the region representing donor agencies, bilateral organizations,

government & non-governmental agencies.

Dr Bitra , Salaam Baalak Trust presented an overview of the workshop

with special mention of the skills building aspect. Dr Sanjay Kapur, USAID,

gave a talk on the Children Affected by AIDS programs around the world with

special emphasis on the programs supported by USAID. Dr Bitra made a

presentation on the Indian Scenario of vulnerable children and the 6 CAA

projects funded by USAID in India. He also talked about with interventions

to address needs of vulnerable street children at the New Delhi railway

station by Salaam Baalak Trust. Dr Shyamala Ashok of SDERT talked about the

needs of children of sex workers and the programs to address them in

Pondicherry. Dr P. Manorama of CHES spoke about the problems faced by

children infected or orphaned by HIV/AIDS and the efforts to tackle them at

Chennai through a shelter and a home based care program integrated with a

sensitization drive.

All the participants were made to sit in a circle and Dr Bitra facilitated a

discussion on participatory activities on three theme areas -

Ø Addressing self esteem

Ø Resisting peer pressure

Ø Addressing myths & misconceptions.

Various suggested activities included the use of drama, theatre & puppetry

prepared by the children on various topics. Other activities include body

mapping exercise, organising painting or sketching competitions with

vulnerable children. Bitra, Shyamala & Manorama talked about some of the

experiences working with vulnerable children in India. Other participants

spoke about their experiences in Cambodia, Nepal, Australia and Thailand.

Dr Bitra summed up the discussion and asked the participants to give their

comments on the facilitator's guide, which was distributed to all.Bitra

thanked all the participants for their active contributions.

If any one wants the facilitator's guide on 'Teaching life skills &

reproductive health to street & vulnerable children', kindly contact me.

Regards,

Dr Bitra

Trustee & Medical Director

Salaam Baalak Trust

bitra_george@...

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