Faith in humanity is restored every time a good deed is done. Even if there are a hundred bad things out there, there will always be a hundred good ones to make up for them.
February 17, 2024 marks a significant milestone in the journey towards safeguarding the rights and well-being of hearing-impaired children in Goa.
The Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (Goa SCPCR), in partnership with the Goa Association for the Deaf and Human Touch Foundation, inaugurated a pioneering series of trainings on Personal Safety Education and Menstrual Hygiene.
The inaugural program was held at the Manohar Parrikar Memorial Hall at Sanjay School, Porvorim.
Led by Sandhya Chawan (lead for Adolescent Health and Wellbeing), and Masoom Shaikh (co-lead for Adolescent Health and Wellbeing) at the Human Touch Foundation, the sessions were meticulously designed to address the unique needs and challenges faced by hearing-impaired children.
With the invaluable assistance of Josephine Fernandes, an experienced Indian sign language interpreter, the sessions delved into critical topics such as safe and unsafe touch.
By employing accessible communication methods, the trainers ensured that every child could actively participate and grasp the essential information.
In his address during the launch, Chairperson of the Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, Peter F Borges, emphasized the importance of such initiatives in providing a safe environment for hearing-impaired children.
He underscored the unfortunate reality that instances of abuse often go unreported among this demographic due to a lack of understanding, courage, and trusted adults to confide in.
This collaborative effort between the Goa SCPCR, Goa Association for the Deaf, and Human Touch Foundation is not merely a one-time event, but the beginning of a sustained commitment to empower hearing-impaired children across the state.
Plans are underway to extend this training series to all schools catering to hearing-impaired students.
Moreover, based on the feedback and outcomes of the initial sessions, tailored programs will be developed to ensure the long-term efficacy and relevance of the intervention.
The Goa SCPCR is dedicated to fostering meaningful partnerships and collaborations to advance the rights and welfare of children across the state.
In this endeavour, the commission teamed up with the Goa Association for the Deaf and Human Touch Foundation, recognizing their invaluable expertise and insights in supporting the hearing-impaired community.