The Home provides a shelter to traumatized children especially those without families. Know More
The unit was set to give employment opportunities to poor adolescent girls. Know More
24 HOURS child protection program for the deprived children on the streets of Kolkata Know More
Day care for children of working mothers and Additional learning skills for children in school.
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To identify 15 vocal members of the community who were willing to be involved in building an environment for children’s appropriate development.
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COUNSELLING
Brief Activities
The children of protection homes, education units, child watch project including Nabadisha and crisis intervention have received in depth psychotherapy and counselling. Depending on the problems and the age of the client, individual or group counselling was provided. Different psychotherapy techniques including behaviour therapy, cognitive behaviour therapy, integrated psychotherapy, supportive therapy, crisis intervention, play therapy and art therapy were used to help the clients in different circumstances. In cases of psychiatric problems the clients were referred to a renowned psychiatrist and if necessary admitted to hospital for treatment. Community meetings and focused group discussions were held at definite intervals. These meetings and discussions provided an open and safe platform for the children and the caregivers where they could speak about and resolve their problems with the help of a counsellor. The staff were also trained to improve their skill in understanding and managing children in a healthier way.
Work on the issues:
Throughout the year, children’s counselling sessions dealt with issues such as aggressive outbursts, adjustment problems, problems with authority, communication problems, family violence, experience of abuse, risk taking behaviour, substance abuse etc.
Achievements:
COUNSELLING
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A total of 86 children received individual counselling in the girls home
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A total of 140 group therapy sessions were held in the girls home with a total of 1011 children attending the sessions.
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A total of 64 children received individual counselling in the boys home.
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A total of 178 group therapy sessions were conducted in the boys home with a total of 798 children counselled.
IMPROVEMENTS
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Children’s academic performance has increased.
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Communication skills are now enhanced.
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Taking on leadership roles is easier for many children.
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Expression of emotion has improved.
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Relationship bonding has developed.
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Taking responsibility for self and others.
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Creativity has developed.
TRAINING
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Sixteen girls from the Girls Home received training on sexual heath and protection.
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A workshop for school teachers on managing children’s behavioural problems was conductedEighty-one parents of the children living in the shelter homes attended a workshop on child protection including health-hygiene, physical and psychological development of the child, managing children, child abuse and child marriage.
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A workshop was conducted for caregivers’ addressing the problems encountered by children when they are placed in a home and how to deal with these problems.
CAPACITY BULDING FOR COUNSELLOR
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One counsellor attended a training session on the management of autism.
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Two counsellors attended an art course entitled “Art Become Therapy”.
RESEARCH WORK
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Two research projects are currently ongoing investigating the effect of art therapy on institutionalised children and on their emotional and behavioural expression.
CASE STUDY
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Shaymal was an 8-year-old boy living with his mother in vulnerable conditions. His father died of a terminal disease. Shaymal was admitted to the Hope home. On arrival, he was very restless and found it difficult to adjust to living with the other boys. He had difficulty concentrating and used inappropriate language frequently. After in depth individual and group counselling, his behaviour dramatically improved. He is now an excellent student and ranked between 1st and 3rd in his last few class examinations.
