Venue: Gambia Senior Secondary School, Banjul, The Gambia
DATE: 17th-19th July, 2012
The Organisation for Vulnerable People (OVP) wishes to express its deepest gratitude and heartfelt thanks to its board members for their tireless and dedicated efforts in making the second training programme a success.
Special thanks go to the members for their financial support towards the programme.
The organisation would like to send this special thanks and appreciation to our resource persons for their commitment, patient, comprehensive and thoughtful presentations, which we believe has gone a long way in the educational cycle of the participants.
There will be no justice maintained if we fail to send our thanks and appreciation to our gallant and dedicated participants for their unwavering commitment and participation throughout the training.
A very big thanks goes to the catering team for providing us delicious and timely food to the satisfaction of every participant, this made them to proactive in every of the training. We will also like to thank the Gambia Senior Secondary School for providing us the venue for the training as participants were given the free will to use their facilities during the programme.
Our targeted beneficiaries are (CHILDREN IN CONFLICT AND IN CONTACT WITH THE LAW AND STREET CHILDREN), Organisation for Vulnerable People is a non political, non profitable and non religious 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. This is the second of many training to come for school going children in the country at large to raise the awareness of children who are the future leaders of tomorrow to stay away from crime and unwanted pregnancy that will bring a halt to their future progress.
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 second programme, all five schools that participated on the training have a representative sent by the school during the opening ceremony. In addressing the participants, the principal of Gambia Senior secondary School gave his blessings to the organisation and the participants that were selected by their various institutions. He advised the children to focus and concentrate as he believed such training will create an impact in their lives and the environment as a whole. He encouraged the organisation to extend the training to other schools across the country for other children to benefit from it. 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 from the five schools that were fortunate to be selected for the training and asked them to concentrate on the strategic aspects of the training for them to be able to know how to upkeep themselves, stay away from crime and sensitise their peers on topics they have learnt from the workshop.
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 as a board member of the organisation. She told participants that this mark the second training in the year that the organisation is organizing as the first one was organised for schools within the Kotu and Bakoteh vicinity. She told participants to take the training serious as they are sent by their schools as ambassadors. She outlined how the organisation was formed, the vision and mission statement and the role 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 specifically pay attention to reproductive health issues and the rate at which children commit crime in society during the first phase of our training programme. She urged society to reduce the rate of unwanted pregnancies and crimes committed by children in engaging them 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 them 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 if funds are available.
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.
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 checkup. 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.
DAY 1: ACTIVITY
In recognition of the importance of Juvenile Justice Administration and child protection, Her Warship and chairperson of the children’s court Sirrinding Sanneh discussed 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 strategised ways to address them.
PRESENTATION ON CHILD OFFENDERS, WHICH CRIMES THEY COMMIT:
The day started with a presentation on child offenders, which crime are committed by Her Warship and chairperson of the children’s court.
According to her, the children’s act of the Gambia 2005 described a child as 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 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 faced by the government when it comes to the justice system of juvenile in the country:
No Female Juvenile Wing
Capacity problem
Sanitation
Inadequate training facilities
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. Participants asked different questions that were answered by Her Warship with regards to children in the juvenile court, the type of education they give to them, and facilities in the wing. She promised participants that she will discussed with the organisation to give participants a date that they will attend the court and see how their peers are been tried in court as long as they promised to keep it confidential.
DAY2 ACTIVITY
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 well-being 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 children under the age of eighteen years 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 reasons 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
DAY 3 ACTIVITY
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 centres, 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.
At the end of the session Mr. S. Jallow of the Gambia Senior Secondary School gave the vote of thanks, he 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.
He urged his 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. He 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, he 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. He 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.
He thanked the SOS Technical High School for providing the space they needed for OVP to conduct the training. He thank the cook who prepared some palatable food during the three days programme, his 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 posing for some memorable photos.
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