By Fiona Hamilton - Donor Relations Officer
World Vision East Timor has joined forces with UNICEF to provide a unique opportunity for children in conflict with the law, and children at risk in the capital Dili.
Beginning this week, 29 children aged between 13 and 18 commenced full time electronic repairs training at the World Vision Youth Centre in Dili. The programme offers a unique opportunity for children who have been released from prison or who are frequently in conflict with the law. Street children and children who have been victims of family violence and abuse have also been accepted into the programme.
The program is the fruition of an agreement and Memorandum of Understanding signed between World Vision East Timor, UNICEF and the East Timorese Ministry of Justice and Department of Social Services to provide rehabilitation and diversion programmes for children at risk and children in conflict with the law.
The programme in the World Vision Youth Centre is for full time training in electronic repairs, literacy, small business, peace and character building classes, and recreation in music, art and sport. The children are provided with lunch, transportation and free health care from the World Vision clinic. The Youth Centre will then be accessed by the children's counsellors, and Department of Social Services Case workers to provide overall care and support for each child.
World Vision staff also provide electronic repairs training three times a week for the children currently held inside the Becora Prison in Dili. There is not yet a juvenile detention facility in East Timor, therefore the children are held inside the adult prison.
"There is so much underdevelopment in East Timor, and while our whole nation tries to rebuild from the ashes of war, many children such as these just can't be cared for in the current system," says Augusto Soares, Youth Development Officer of World Vision East Timor. "This programme has enabled World Vision to reach out to the most marginalised children in Dili. We are excited to be able to offer these children a step towards change."
Each child will study the course full time for six months, and upon graduating will receive a small electronics toolkit, a certificate, and hopefully a brighter future.
Reiterates Augusto says, "Our dream is that this programme will not teach the children only electronic repairs, our dream is that they will graduate from World Vision with hope, with strong values, and most of all, knowing how unique and special they are, and how much they are valued by our community."