Child Rights Promotion Centre opened in Assam

(Oct.12,2010) In North-east India’s Assam State, the newly formed child rights center in Guwahati will help underprivileged children get quality education and training for a better future, said local officials. H. K. Sharma, commissioner of Assam government’s Social Welfare department recently opened the Snehalaya Centre for Child Rights. Salesian Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil of Guwahati, who blessed the house, said the new venture would help contribute to the nation’s growth. The young people will have a future. They will take up leadership positions in society,” he added. The Center’s Director Fr. Lukose Cheruvalel, said it’s main aim is to promote child rights and it will collaborate with academic and theoretical studies to care for children and their rights.
The center has a drop-in point for destitute children and a shelter home for homeless children. The priest said other facilities include the Ann Ramsay Centre for Juvenile Justice Studies and Services, a child and adolescent psychological counselling center and a youth hostel. It will also function as a center for research and study child-related topics. “We will gradually develop a diploma course approved by Don Bosco University on child rights and related subjects,” Father Cheruvalel added. The Salesian priest started the Snehalaya Centre in 2001, as a small shelter for eight children picked up from Guwahati Railway Station. Gradually, he set up five more such centers for marginalized children.