Two-Day Residential Training for Youth Leaders from Patamda, Boram & Ghatshila Blocks, East Singhbhum

To strengthen community-based child protection mechanisms, a two-day residential training was organised for selected youth leaders from Patamda, Boram, and Ghatshila blocks of East Singhbhum district.
The training aimed to nurture a cadre of Local Leaders capable of supporting vulnerable families and helping reunite children with their families, while addressing root causes of risk at the community level.

1. Youth Empowerment in Today’s Context

• The opening session focused on helping youth leaders understand the multiple vulnerabilities that children face within families and communities. Key issues discussed included:
• Irregular school attendance
• School dropout and non-enrolment
• Child marriage
• Child labour
• Parental neglect
• Trafficking risks
• Adverse family or socio-economic conditions

Through interactive discussions, participants developed a deeper understanding of how these vulnerabilities impact children’s growth and safety.

2. Identifying & Addressing Child-Related Issues

• Youth leaders were trained to take proactive, sensitive, and community-friendly approaches to child protection. The session covered:
• Identifying early signs of risk
• Communicating effectively with children and caregivers
• Approaching families politely and respectfully
• Using community resources and institutions to resolve issues

The goal was to equip participants with the ability to intervene safely and responsibly whenever a child’s wellbeing is threatened.

3. Building Changemakers

A major highlight of the training was its emphasis on leadership and empathy. Youth were encouraged to become changemakers—confident, responsible individuals who take initiative on child-related issues in their villages.
They were inspired to work towards a community where no child is left behind.

4. Orientation on Key Child-Related Laws & Institutions

Participants were introduced to important legislative frameworks and child protection bodies, including:

• Right to Education (RTE) Act – age group, entitlements, and provisions
• National Education Policy (NEP) – key highlights related to children
• Juvenile Justice (JJ) Act – basic structure and child rights protections
• Child Welfare Committee (CWC) – roles, responsibilities, and procedures
• This ensured that youth leaders are aware of formal mechanisms available for safeguarding children.

5. Participatory & Activity-Based Training Methodology

• The training was designed to be highly interactive, allowing youth to learn by doing. Methodologies included:
• Role plays
• Cross-group discussions
• Communication exercises
• Practical simulations of real-life scenarios

These participatory methods helped build confidence, improve communication skills, and reinforce the importance of teamwork in addressing child protection issues.