NCC to target young boys with behavioural issues through dedicated programmes |17 March 2018
• We cannot just say “that’s a bad seed!” - what are we doing to help this seed?
The National Council for Children (NCC) has said that as of this year they will simultaneously be executing a number of dedicated programmes to specifically target 10 – 15 year old boys on Mahé, Praslin and La Digue in an attempt to curb a number of issues that have been observed in this particular age group.
The NCC is a local non-government organisation; an active advocate for the rights of children. The council is vocal in its denunciation of child abuse and also works to raise public awareness on issues related to the wellbeing of children (NCC).
The new initiative comes following a marked increase in the number of 10 – 15 year old boys who have been attending counselling sessions at the NCC for problems ranging from difficulty in learning, misbehaviour and aggression.
Communication coordinator at the NCC, Sharon Meriton-Jean, told the Seychelles NATION that these young boys seem to be manifesting their inner built-up emotions in negative ways and are struggling to release such tensions in a healthier manner.
She stresses however that as a nation, we cannot just say “that’s a bad seed!” but rather we should ask what are we doing to help this seed?
It is with this mind-frame that the NCC have decided to use their recently launched EnCOURAGEment campaign in parallel with their ‘Protective Behaviour’ programme to help young boys who are unable to cope in a more positive way with their emotions.
The ‘Protective Behaviour’ programme aims to help children identify negative behaviour in adults, e.g. neglect and sexual harassment, by providing them with the necessary skills to do so. It will also enable them to develop their confidence and ability to express themselves in a more positive and healthy way.
The objective of the EnCOURAGEment campaign is to empower children to bring about beneficial changes in their lives through the use of positive messages and activities rather than any negative means which can have harmful impacts on children.
“We need to use positive, happy words so as not to emotionally scar our children. We should remember that when we say something bad to someone, including children, it will reflect on the person receiving the message,” says Mrs Meriton-Jean.
An NCC representative will visit schools and other concerned/interested organisations to give advice and tips to teachers, parents and other members on the best ways to empower and support children to be more confident, courageous, hopeful and better able to handle different emotions and situations that they come across.
As an example, participating members will be briefed about steps on how to uplift others when they are feeling down, what to do when you are having a bad day, how to give advice and how to take a break/pause over the course of the day.
The NCC also conducts monthly parenting sessions at the council and there are plans to use the various workshops and presentations as an opportunity to extend the messages of the EnCOURAGEment campaign. The council reminds members of the public that they also welcome those who want to be parents to attend the sessions.
It is expected that with practice, such activities will give children ‘life skills’ that they need and will continue to need in their everyday lives, and as a result, these will bring about healthy, positive changes to themselves and to those around them.
While the activities are still in a planning phase, a number of mediums have started being used as part of the campaign such as billboards, TV advertisements and a stress management workshop for teachers which served to remind participants of the values that we should all be exercising.
It is to be noted however that NCC will not be imposing the campaign or any programme on schools or parents. Rather, once the programme is finalised, the council will be visiting schools across the country to inform them of the type of support, counselling and advice services they can provide, but the decision to avail of any such service remains in the hands of each individual school, organisation and parent.
However, Mrs Meriton-Jean strongly advises organisations that work with children to take this initiative for the betterment of children, ourselves and our future.
For further information, call the NCC on 4 28 39 00; email ncc@seychelles.sc or follow National Council for Children on Facebook. The council is open from Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm, except for emergencies.