Creating Protective Environments

PROTECTIVE ENVIRONMENTS FOR CHILDREN

Children on the Edge works closely with the people and places that have the most impact on the child: the family, classroom, community and society. At every level, we engage with and actively involve the whole community to jointly create a protective environment where each child can thrive.

Thanks to the unwavering support of our donors this year, we have been able to continue to do just this.

MYANMAR

In Myanmar, all 15 Early Childhood Development Centres have had new play materials and 104 Committee members have received training and advice to help them continue improving the centres with renovations and new supplies.

Parenting workshops have been facilitated every other month for 29 parents, changing attitudes for the better. 32 teachers have been on a five day refresher training course to ensure their knowledge and practice is up to date.

UGANDA - KYAKA II

In Kyaka II refugee settlement in Uganda, Covid-safe teacher training was given to 90 teachers and 90 more teachers were recruited to help support a new cluster learning programme.

Building of new Early Childhood Development Centres commenced on six sites using sustainable methods and refugee apprentices.

Child Protection training was given for 70 key participants of the programme and 294 people involved with managing the Early Childhood Development centres were trained on child rights, gender responsiveness and child abuse.

UGANDA - JINJA

In Uganda, Child Protection Teams across five slum communities in Jinja received extra training and community workshops were held for over 800 people to help combat and address the rise in domestic violence and throughout lockdown. Attendance at regular community workshops more than doubled in Loco, Masese I and Wandago and Child Protection Team training attendance across all areas increased from 79% to 98%.

As government services ceased under lockdown, the Child Protection Teams increased door-to-door visits to keep an eye on children who were at risk. 79 loans were provided to households, supporting new businesses that help to provide enough income to feed families and pay for education.

The campaign to protect children from child sacrifice at the national level through the passing of The Prevention and Prohibition of Human Sacrifice Bill 2020 continued, making significant progress.

INDIA

In India, our mobile mentoring programme arranged focused discussions between children and parents to help them cope with lockdown and to identify instances of child abuse both at home and in the community.

We learned a lot about the huge amount of stress and anxiety being faced by the children in our project areas throughout this time and designed a number of extra programmes and events to engage children in fun activities to help them overcome their fears and manage their feelings.

To keep spirits high, hundreds of children celebrated a huge variety of festivals throughout the year including Holi Milan, Diwali, Raksha Bandhan and Durga Puja, keeping in line with current safety measures.

As a result of widespread research, training, campaigning and tracking of trafficking cases through a new helpline, there was a direct increase in community vigilance. 80 Women’s Groups trained on saving and small business loans in order to provide for their children, and learned about parenting and preventing domestic abuse and child marriage.

BANGLADESH

In Bangladesh a new learning centre for 200 children was constructed in Cox's Bazar. The classrooms have removable partitions to allow for larger parents meetings to take place. Teachers continued to receive their monthly refresher training where they focus on skills, attitudes and behaviours as well as how to develop strong teacher-student relationships.

Teachers in Kutupalong refugee camp used home-based classes as a crucial opportunity to check-in on children’s welfare, and observe any signs of hunger or abuse, which have been on the rise during lockdown. In August 2020, all staff were given training on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse .

LEBANON

In Lebanon, a 'Shine for Girls' programme was established for girls aged 12-14 to help develop their self esteem and confidence.

Vocational classes covering IT, crafts, sewing, sport, dance and carpentry were offered to children in addition to their normal lessons.

Parents described how their home environments have become calmer and more positive as a result of the school improving self esteem and happiness of their children.

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