ORGANISATION FOR VULNERABLE PEOPLE (OVP)
REPORT ON THE THREE DAYS TRAINING WORKSHOP ORGANISED FOR SCHOOLS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The OVP kindly wishes to express its profound gratitude to it members, participating schools and the participants for their tireless effort, dedication and interest in making the training programme a success.
Special thanks goes to the Board of OVP for their commitment and patient which we believe has gone a long way in OVP registering some of the successes we are proud of today, despite their busy schedule they find time to partake voluntarily in the training programme as resource persons for the progress of the organisation. To this dedicated people we say thanks to you all.
As we draw your attention back to our targeted beneficiaries (CHILDREN IN CONFLICT AND IN CONTACT WITH THE LAW AND STREET CHILDREN), all of us may aware that this is an organisation that is non political, non profitable and non religious formed since 2009 with the vision of salvaging a society in which all people are treated equally and give a second chance to vulnerable people to participate in nation building regardless of the status, race, tradition or religion and the environment they find themselves.
The purpose of the workshop was to help guide students on
- How to take care of their future with respect to issues about reproductive health
- To stay away from committing crimes referred to juvenile delinquency
- To spread the message to their colleagues and the society as a whole by sensitizing and educating them.
On the first day of the programme, all three schools that participated on the training have their principals available during the opening ceremony. In addressing the participants, the principal of the SOS Technical High School Mr. Ousainou Drammeh advised the children to focus and concentrate as he believed that they could achieve greatly on such programmes. He encouraged the organisation by emphasizing that his doors are opened to us at anytime. He further praised the organisation for the bold step they took to select such sensitive areas Juvenile Delinquency and Reproductive Health. He welcomed all the participants who were fortunate to be selected for the training and asked them to concentrate.
OPENING REMARKS BY MRS. AMINATA JAITEH BOARD MEMBER ORGANISATION FOR VULNERABLE PEOPLE:
On her keynote address, Mrs. Aminata Jaiteh a Board member of OVP told the participants that she was honoured to be given the task to deliver the keynotes address of the training programme. She further stated that the participants were lucky to be among the first set of students to benefit from the training programme. She outlined how the organisation was formed, the vision and mission statement and the role the participants should play in guiding their colleagues and the society at large to stay away from crime and prevent them from unwanted pregnancies. She said as the future leaders of tomorrow, it is the responsibility of all stakeholders including the government, NGOs, individuals, and private bodies to address the issues relating to rise in crime rates and abortion among children in our society.
She told the participants that in order for the organisation to contribute to the millennium development goals of 2 & 4 (ACHIEVE UNIVERSAL PRIMARY EDUCATION AND REDUCE CHILD MORTALITY) we must pay attention to reproductive health issues and the rate at which children commit crime in society. She said society should try to reduce the rate of unwanted pregnancies and crimes committed by children in our society by engaging our children on better skills training and concentrate on universal reproductive health.
She told participants that the purpose of the training is to provide a platform for students to articulate, promote and sensitize communities on the rate at which children commit crime and issues around reproductive health. She stated that the role of OVP as an organisation is to strengthen the formal and informal relationship in schools across the country as plans are on the way to spread the training to other senior secondary schools in all educational regions of the Gambia if funds are available as it is one of the major constraints the organisation is undergoing at the moment.
She concluded her speech by opening the doors to individuals, groups, organizations that could render support to our programmes as the target of the organisation is to spread this training to the entire country. She extended an invitation to all the participants present at the training, the media, invited persons that the doors of the OVP are open to them all as we look forward to welcome more members to help in working with vulnerable children in the Gambia.
Mr. Alieu Jammeh as a resource person highlighted to participants the way on how they should prevent themselves and control the spread of HIV/AIDS in society by taking precautions like:
- Barrier protection on items that shield you from being infected like gloves, disposable gowns, masks, goggles, face shields, etc.
- Engineering control on items placed in work environment to promote safety and reduce the risk of transmitting the disease. Some engineering control types are autoclaves, germicidal light, sharp containers, needle terminators, eye wash and hand washing centers, medical waste disposal containers, etc.
- Work practice control procedures used by health service workers to minimise risk and reduce the transmission of diseases by washing hands, proper disposal of waste, not recapping needles, sterilizing equipment, use of aseptic techniques, etc.
- On his presentation on the sexually transmitted diseases, he talked about the way the disease is been transmitted through unprotected, virginal, anal or oral intercourse.
- He concluded that if everyone observed a universal precaution, together we could protect ourselves and others by preventing the transmission of diseases.
DAY 2: ACTIVITY
In recognition of the importance of Juvenile Justice Administration and child protection, Mrs. Amie Jobe a barrister at the Children’s Court discuss issues of general concerns to participants with the aim of creating awareness in them. The training seeks to discuss the challenges children face in society and strategise ways to address them.
PRESENTATIONON CHILD OFFENDERS, WHICH CRIMES ARE COMMITTEED:
The day started with a presentation on child offenders, which crime are committed by Mrs. Amie Joe a barrister at the children’s court.
According to her, a child is someone below the age of 18 years. A child offender is someone who directly/ indirectly conflict with the law. She said they are confronted with the following.
- CRIMES COMMITTED BY JUVENILES
The following are some of the crimes she outlined that are committed by juvenile in our society:
- Rape
- Stealing/theft
- Murder
- Defilement
- Arsons
- Indecent assaults
- Incest
- Assault causing grievously bodily harm
- Drug trafficking
WHY CHILDREN COMMIT OFFENCE
She said children commit offence because of some of the reasons below:
- Poverty
- Bad friends-peer pressure
- Broken homes
- Drug abuse
- Lack of dialogue between parents and child
- Early marriage
- Verbal abuse
- Lack of parental guidance
- Teenage pregnancy
- Neglect
THE ROLE OF THE POLICE
In the case of the police she said it is their role and responsibility to observed and act on the following:
- Empathy
- Non Judgmental
- Sensitivity
- Investigate and gather the facts
- Ensure proper referral
- Explain the law, rights, etc
- Perpetrators to be put before a court of law
- Separate children from adults
CHALLENGES THE GOVERNMENT FACE IN THE JUVENILE JUSTICE:
The following are challenges face by the government when it comes to the justice system of juvenile in the country:
- No Female Juvenile Wing
- Capacity problem
- Sanitation
The children’s act was presented to participants and urged them that as children they should become conversant with it to guide and protect them in society.
PRESENTATION ON “AFTER ARREST” PROCEDURE. CHILD OFFENDERS AND CHILD VICTIMS OF CRIMES:
In his presentation Mr. Fallu Sowe Deputy Director of the Department of Social Welfare maintains that:
- The “After Arrest Procedures” is an important contribution to the development of the Juvenile Justice System in The Gambia.
- Its implementation should ensure that the rights and wellbeing of children in conflict and or in contact with the law are protected. It also ensures that Juvenile Justice Agencies throughout the country are able to work together with mutual understanding and respect.
- The principles, on which the procedures are based, are in line with the United Nation Convention on the right of the child, the African Charted on the Rights and welfare of the child and the laws of The Gambia.
- It is hoped that these procedures will help workers involve in Juvenile Justice to remember that arrest, detention and court action involving under eighteen years olds should be used as last resort.
- Working with these procedures will not always be easy, but with commitment from the various Juvenile Justice Agencies; many of the constraints/challenges can be overcome.
THE “AFTER ARREST” PROCEDURES
STEP 1: “ON THE STREET” ARREST:
- Police officer makes decision to arrest or not and should explain reason for arrest.
- Attempts to threaten or frighten the child are unlikely to get you facts.
IN CASE OF A CHILD VICTIM:
- Police make the decision to take child to station or not.
- Child’s Privacy should be protected at all times
- Child should immediately be taken to hospital for medical care
- Parents should always be present
- Child and parents should be informed of what is going on.
- Social worker provides psychosocial support to child and family.
- Provide basic needs to avoid emotional torture to child.
STEP 2: AT THE POLICE STATION:
- The arresting officer contacts:
- Parent/guardian
- Local Police Child Welfare Officer
- Child Welfare Unit
- Department of Social Welfare
- To share information regarding the arrest and to arrange for at least one of the aforementioned adults to attend interview with the child.
STEP 3: POLICE INTERVIEW:
- The arresting officer awaits arrival of parent/guarding and/or
CWO/DOSW/REP.
- Police should ensure that the child is comfortable and that his/her privacy is protected.
- The arresting officer interviews young person with parent/guardian/DOSW representative present.
- It should be held in a peaceful atmosphere and shouldn’t be judgmental.
STEP 4: CHARGE:
- Police make decision to charge or not.
- If no charge, child should be released to parent/guardian.
STEP 5: RELEASE TO PARENT/CAREER:
- Agreement to release child to care of parents or other career pending court appearance.
- Decision taken after consultation with parents DOSW
- Detain in Custody
- Decision to detain taken by police after appropriate information is gathered from parents (DOSW)
- Remember detention should be last resort and child should be detained separate from adult’s detainees.
STEP 6: AFTER RELEASE:
- In care of parent/career
- Monitored by DOSW, as appropriate
- In detention/remand
- Child to be remanded separated from adult
- Treated as a Juvenile, and as an adult
- He/she should be given access to parents, lawyer and Social Worker.
STEP 7: COURT HEARING:
- Child to appear before the Children’s Court in the present of parents. Charges explained to child in the language he/she understands most.
- Court appearance to be in camera and court proceedings should be child friendly.
- DOSW explore alternatives to detention and present findings to court if requested for consideration.
STEP 8: COURT ORDER:
- Court to request for Social Inquiry Report on the child’s case.
- DOSW to produce and present Social Inquiry Report for court consideration before passing an order.
STEP 9: APPEAL:
- Child’s decision, (with legal advice), to appeal against order.
- Case reviewed by higher court.
- DOSW to provide report as appropriate
SUMMARY OF THE AFTER ARREST PROCEDURE:
The following should be a guiding principle throughout the Juvenile Justice process.
- Respect for views of the child
- Child friendly treatment
- Psychosocial support to child
- Decision to be based on child’s best interest
- Equal treatment – non-discrimination
- Survival and development of the child
Abdul Karim Sesay the executive secretary of the Organisation for Vulnerable People highlighted the role and responsibilities of participants in reproductive health with regards to the precautionary measure they have to take and how to go about taking and using them in a safer way.
He mentioned that some people with STIs have few or no symptoms at all, while others have obvious symptoms. He kindly advised participants to be aware of any changes in their health or symptoms such as:
- different or heavier discharge from the vagina
- discharge from the penis
- a burning feeling when urinating (peeing)
- sores, particularly in the genital or anal areas
- itchy feeling around the sex organs or anus
- appearance of a rash
- Swollen glands in the groin
He said some of these symptoms may appear alone or in combination. He added that having the symptoms does not mean that the person is contracted with the disease of STI but if having sexual intercourse and taking chances, he advised that it better the individual sees a professional for a check up. He spoke about the chances of one contracting STI through sex without using condom. He further stated that if one has taken chance of having sex without using condom, it is advisable for him/her to go to the public health clinic and ask for the STI check up unit and do the test.
He spoke about the only way in which one could prevent him/herself from sexually transmitted infectious disease is to avoid risky behaviour. He said the following ways could help you to prevent yourself from STI
- Abstinence
- Consider doing other things with your partner, like kissing, caressing and touching, instead of having intercourse
- Use a condom every time - it's the most important thing you can do
- Ask yourself, how many partners have I had this year? Am I taking chances?
- IT TAKES TWO! The birth control pill prevents pregnancy, and the condom helps to prevent STI.
- The riskiest way of having sex in terms of catching an STI is anal sex (for both males and females) - but you can get an STI from vaginal and oral sex as well
- Never share needles or equipment for drugs, tattoos or body piercing.
STIs or sexually transmitted infections can be spread in several ways. STIs are usually spread through sex because the bacteria or viruses travel in semen, vaginal fluids, and blood. Saliva (or spit) can spread some STIs if you have a tiny cut in or around your mouth. STIs can be spread through direct contact with an infected area. Infected blood on needles and syringes can spread certain STIs. Infected women can pass some STIs to their babies during pregnancy, at childbirth or during breastfeeding.
- You can catch some STIs more than once. And, you can have more than one STI at a time. If you are HIV positive and have another of the sexually transmitted infections, you increase your chances of GIVING HIV to your partner.
- If you don't have HIV but have another sexually transmitted infection, you increase your chances of GETTING HIV from an HIV positive partner. Many STIs are easily treated, but all can be dangerous if ignored. To reduce the possibility of spreading STIs or re-infection, sexually activity should be postponed until treatment has been completed. For some STIs, like HIV, there is no cure to date he concluded.
At the end of the session Miss Haddy Drammeh of the SOS Technical High School gave the vote of thanks, she expressed on behalf of the participants their delight and praises they had for the Organisation for Vulnerable People in conducting such an educative and sensitisation workshop that they are proud to tell the entire nation that they benefited from greatly.
She urged her fellow participants to put all what they have learnt on the training programme into practice as they were fortunate to be selected amongst their fellow students to represent their different Alma Meta as ambassadors that will go to their various schools and disseminate the message to their fellow students. She urged all those present at the workshop to join the organisation as members, advocates, etc, to help in promoting the organisation.
On her closing remarks, she thanked all the resource persons who one way or the other made the training a success, as they sacrificed all their time to build them for the future. She said as future leaders of tomorrow it is their responsibility as children to hold on to such a training that will go a long way in shaping the type of people they will be tomorrow in society. She thank the SOS Technical High School for providing the space they needed for OVP to conduct the training.
She thank the cook who prepared some palatable food during the three days programme, her fellow participants, the members of OVP and most importantly the principals of all the schools for their support towards the programme and urged the organisation to kindly spread it to other schools within the country for them to benefit the same way they had benefited.
The training ended with participants, members of OVP, resource person and the principal of the SOS Technical High School posing for some memorable photos.
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