Karuna Pathein in Myanmar is organizing a series of “child participation days” for parishes still recovering from Cyclone Nargis.

Up to 100 children have joined the program each month in five selected villages of Pathein diocese. Karuna Pathein is Pathein diocese’s social service agency.

“The program aims to uplift the children physically and spiritually through games, songs, dances and competitions,” explained, Jerome, 26, a diocesan child protection officer.

“Our main intention is to help children be brave and dare to speak with others, to have unity and mutual understanding among themselves and to become future leaders,” he said.

Peter Soe Min Oo, another Karuna staff member who deals with psycho-social problems, added that the program uses methods of meditation, reflection and imagination as part of the trauma healing process.

“We let the children draw pictures to get in touch with their own feelings and we then spend time talking with them individually so that we can know their difficulties,” Min Oo said.

Prize giving and nutritional support are also included in the program, which participants say they enjoy.

“I never dreamed of celebrating Child Participation Day in my village,” said 14-year-old dance competition winner Htet Htet Lwin.

U Pein 54, a Buddhist farmer from the Irrawaddy delta, said that villagers are happy to see their children becoming less introverted and enjoying the program.

The monthly program will continue until December 2010.

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MY11248.1619