Fifty (50) individuals received certificates of completion from a family empowerment and parenting program held for residents of the Gaulette River, Mahaut River and Sineku communities.

The program was held in the months of June and July and was spearheaded by the Ministry of Environment, Rural Modernisation, Kalinago Upliftment and Constituency Empowerment in collaboration with UNICEF.

The topics covered in this family empowerment/parenting program included Conflict resolution, parenting and school involvement,  Child Abuse: signs and effects and how to protect your child from abuse, Roles and responsibilities of parents and children, Managing your finances, Coping with Daily Stress and Frustration, Understanding and Reporting Domestic Violence and Positive health habits.  The participants were also trained in various art works.

Participants of the program also expressed their gratitude for the program and stated that they believed that change starts with them and have learned a lot from the program and it is their hope that everyone put what they have learned into practice in order to build stronger families and communities.

The fifty participants who completed this program included 22 men and 28 women.

The program forms part of the activities being implemented by the Ministry of Kalinago Upliftment targeting social and behavioural change with a focus on child protection in the Kalinago Territory.  The other programs being implemented include a mentorship program where mentors are attached to homes and give guidance and support in various areas such as educational assistance to about 100 children and their parents. Other programs include various training sessions on behavioural change with community leaders and various stakeholders.

The Ministry of Kalinago Upliftment/Division of Kalinago Affairs thanks UNICEF for their continued support.