The inauguration of the counseling center and study aid distribution to school going children was held on May 30, 2014 at Profugo Development Initiatives. Roughly 100 plus people participated.
Mr. Aneesh James welcomed guests and explained the work of the counseling center and the study aid grant. The counseling center will provide clients with help in study skills, memory, concentration, confidence, tensions, etc. We will also aid the cessation of bad habits and help cultivate good habits. Teenagers receive support and information regarding adolescence issues, such as puberty & health, social and family pressures, as well as relationship problems. Interested families can also approach the center to rediscover their love and unity within the family.
The 63 school children of the adopted Profugo families received a school bag lovingly sewn by the tailoring women, containing an umbrella, a water bottle, a lunch box, and various needed school supplies.
Mr. Jose Pullattukunnel (Member, ward number 17 of Thavinjal Panchayat) presided over the meeting. In his presidential address he appreciated the contribution of PDI to the area. Starting the School year with a gift to make the children happy and excited to attend the school is a healthy action, he said. He congratulated the step taken for having the counseling center and was happy for such a service in the area. He said it will be a beacon lamp to go into the dark areas of suffering people’s hearts and minds.
Mr. M.G. Biju (Chairman, Development matters of Mananthavady Block Panchayat) officially inaugurated the facility. He in his inaugural speech said that he is not in favor of increasing the facility or adding up more counseling centers in the area. He said a strong family with moral values inculcating into its inmates are the need of the time. With the modernization and social development we have lost these values and the need of such centers have increased. In the past, the mother of the family nursed the children not only with nutrients but with moral values and love of fellow beings so a strong society developed. So while inaugurating the center, he wished that the number of people coming to such centers be reduced as time goes on and such centers will no more be a need in the community, thus he declared open the center and wished us well.
Ms. M.V. Sheeja (District Protection Officer) while distributing the gift for the students appreciated the efforts of the Trust in helping the children as an encouragement for their studies, she involved all the other guests and members to participate in the distribution of gifts as the number was large. Children were so thrilled to receive the gifts and were in very excited mood so the meeting discipline was disturbed for a while.
Ms. Sheeja appreciated the step of having the counseling center as she directly gets involved in domestic violence, child abuse and other problems faced by the community. She was surprised to see the number of crimes in calm and quiet places such as Wayanad equal to the capital city of Kerala from where she hails. She hopes that in the future this center will be able to become a Service Providing Centre of her department within the government. She promised all support and help of her department for the counseling center.
Dr. K.A. Abraham, Chairman of PDI while felicitating the members and the Trust for the great steps taken this day said a source of light has come in the area for those who are in distress of not being able to open their minds and heart to someone and it is for the people to make use of the newly available facility. He thanked almighty for the possibility of giving gifts to the children of the area. He encouraged the children to pursue their dreams.
It was also a day of some pain as the community recognized two of Profugo’s field fellows, Isel Otero-Vera and Emily Davies, who will be departing the area by the end of June. Dr. Abraham thanked the field fellows for their contribution in the work and development of the community. Mrs. Abraham presented each of them with a memento on behalf of PDI and spoke a few words about the value of the simplicity and sacrifices of their lives. Emily and Isel in return thanked the community for accepting them as one of their own. They said this experience will be cherished forever in their lives.
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