Life skills education for children in special circumstances

In recent times, the Provincial Social Work Center has focused on life skillseducation for children in special circumstances, helping them develop confidence, positivity, initiative in communication, independence, and self-awareness in daily life.

At 5 o'clock, in the rooms of the children's area fully equipped with beds, wardrobes, mattresses, and air conditioners, the children's voices rang out calling each other. After waking up, doing personal hygiene, exercising, and having breakfast, Thao Thi Dau and her friends went down to the library to read books.

Dau confided: "I lost my parents when I was young, and I have been in the center for 8 years, when I was in 4th grade. Children in the highlands at that age all know how to work to help their parents, but other life skills such as personal activities and self-protection are still clumsy. Here, I am often instructed and taught by the "mothers" so I can do everything independently."

The three brothers Thao Thinh Pao all moved into the center after their parents were both imprisoned. Although Pao is a boy, he is very resourceful. In addition to taking care of himself, Pao also helps his older brother and younger brother, supports the "mothers" in cooking, growing vegetables, raising chickens, etc. Pao said: "At the center, I was instructed to do some light work, suitable for my age. I am happy to have contributed to helping the "mothers" in the center."

Sharing with us, Ms. Lo Thi Lien, Head of the Department of Management, Care and Nurturing of Children and the Elderly, Provincial Social Work Center said: The children who come here all have special circumstances, fates, different ages and starting points. Therefore, equipping them with life skills is very important, such as self-care skills, communication skills, teamwork skills, swimming skills, self-defense skills, etc. to help children easily adapt, be proactive and safe in all circumstances and situations of life. Life skills education activities take place every day at the center, creating a regular living habit for the children.

In addition, in recent times, the Provincial Social Work Center has strengthened coordination between departments, branches, agencies, and units, such as the Provincial Police, Provincial Library, Legal Aid Center, Youth Activity Center, etc. to organize propaganda activities on children's rights; prevention of accidents and injuries to children, fire prevention and fighting; drowning prevention and fighting, etc.

Especially during the summer, the center also organizes summer activities for the children. In addition to being taught singing and dancing, the children are given legal knowledge and understanding of puberty by the members of the Youth Union; skills to prevent and combat violence and sexual abuse; skills to prevent and combat accidents and injuries, and addresses to support children in difficulty. From there, children have the skills to protect themselves from risks to their health and life, and recognize their own strengths to improve their ability to solve problems.

Thanks to participating in collective activities, many children in special circumstances have gradually changed in a positive direction. For example, Sung Thi Phuong. Because she lost both her parents at an early age and did not receive care and attention from relatives, when she first came to the center, Phuong was shy, self-conscious and afraid to communicate. Now Phuong is more active, integrating with her siblings and teachers. Sung Thi Phuong said: Here, my child is not only trained in scientific eating and sleeping hours, ensuring health, but also participates in useful exchange programs that help form soft skills to be more independent in life.

Ms. Tran Thi Huong Giang, Deputy Director of the Provincial Social Work Center, said: Currently, the Provincial Social Work Center is caring for and nurturing 48 children. In addition to focusing on equipping them with life skills, sex education, self-defense skills, and anti-abuse skills, the center also organizes many recreational activities, folk games, etc. and regularly mobilizes resources from businesses and philanthropists to support children.

“In the coming time, we will continue to do a good job of caring for and nurturing the children, creating the best conditions for them to develop physically and mentally. The center will always be a common home, helping the children have more strength to continue on the difficult journey ahead,” said Ms. Huong.

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