CHILD PROTECTION & YP TRAINING COMPLETED FOR WESTERN ZONE, NORTH WESTERN DIVISION
Thirty-three participants comprising of Commanding Officers and Young People Leaders in the Western Zone in North Western Division attended a two day “Safe Church – Protecting our Children” training last month (25th to 26th May) at the Voice of Change Conference Centre in Jiwaka Province with participants travelling in from nearby Corps/Fellowships in Jiwaka, Chimbu and Enga Provinces respectively.
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The Child Protection program is integrated into the Youth and Children Ministry – Child Protection policy and will protect our young people’s ministry, especially vulnerable children who will feel safe through our programs and also promote Christian principles.
The training was mainly based on keeping our children safe in areas of abuse – how to keep them safe and how best we can engage them in ministry work.
Most participants loved the training and recommended that similar trainings and awareness should be conducted in their communities.
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The facilitators also strongly encouraged participants to use the policy as a tool to protect and guide Children and Youth Ministry in our Territory.
The two-day training through presentations and discussions pointed out weaknesses and strengths encountered by children’s workers.
“Most children below the age of 18 years old experience numerous unreported and unmonitored physical, sexual, emotional abuse and neglect,” Major Kila said.
Major Kila added that abuse to children is a daily occurrence sometimes being treated as normal or taken as a way of culture while an innocent child suffers the consequences of abuse.
“The policy has been amended and approved for use as an in-house policy to assist child care workers in making sure that children have a safe space that is conducive for them to live a happy and carefree life,” said Major Kila.
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During the discussions, some of the challenges that were identified in discipleship programs like Junior Soldiers, Corp Cadets and Youth Ministry include lack of resources, lack of skilled or trained leaders, community activities and others.
One of the participants said, “The training was well facilitated with clear messages encouraging young people leaders and empowering them as well as boosting their moral in moving the ministry forward in their respective Corps and Fellowships.”
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The two-day training was facilitated by Major Kila Komu (Territorial Youth Secretary) and Major Pouna Komu (Territorial Children Ministry/Territorial Child Protection Officer), supported by Divisional Youth Secretary and Children/Child Protection Officers Captains John and Rose Raga.
“We recommend this training to continue in our Territory with more awareness so all child care workers are well informed and equipped to carry out their duties. This training is also a need for the Eastern Zone here in the North Western Division,” said Captain John.
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