Caritas in Kandy held an awareness campaign yesterday to help children of overseas workers face up to challenges and overcome hardships that may arise due to the absence of parental care. Parents go to the Middle East and other countries for work, which is hard on their children since they are forced to live with relatives, neighbors and friends, or at charity centers, where they can face abuse, Caritas says. To help them Caritas, along with Kandy diocese’s Commission for Justice Peace and Human Development Secretariat, held the awareness camp for 30 girls and boys aged six to 18 years old. The program included skills and communication development, how to cope with the absence of their parents, and how to go about seeking assistance if they are being abused. And with so many parents being away the number of abuse cases against children, whether it is sexual or child labor abuses are on the rise Caritas says. “Many child abuse cases are swept under carpet,” worried Nirosha Rathnayake, 26, program coordinator of Caritas Kandy. During the program “they were given various group activities to sharpen their way of thinking as well as their decision making,” said Rathnayake. “It was also an opportunity for them to make new friends.” Children found the awareness session useful. “My father made my mother go abroad. He doesn’t work and is an alcoholic. I was never allowed to play and I find it difficult being with my father,” said 17-year-old Ruwan Chamara. “My father wastes so much money; he never cares for us,” "This Caritas program has helped me because I have a better idea what to do in the days ahead," he added. Related reports Sex charge pastor not Catholic, says Church Tea-estate youths pick up computer skillsBid to save migrants from traffickers SR14156