Empowering Tribal Children at Kottoor Village, Trivandrum: A Social Awareness Class on Drug Misuse and Its Impact
Our team held an educational and illuminating workshop highlighting the recent use of hazardous substances that varies from pan, gutka, to MDMA, etc. in collaboration with team SOFT MIND and NGO SAVE. The purpose of our session in this tribal community was to raise awareness of the serious effects of using such toxic drugs among people, especially youngsters, and to inculcate a feeling of responsibility for one’s own personal health and the welfare of society as a whole.
As part of their community awareness programme, our eight intern applicants joined us for this community session as listeners to comprehend the diverse individuals and lifestyles in our society. With tremendous enthusiasm since so many members of the neighbourhood had been waiting for the outcome. Children constituted the majority of the crowd. The village’s SAMUHYA PAATA MURII was designated as the location for the event. As we arrived, the crowd applauded our team’s welcome. The workshop then commenced with immense anticipation from our facilitator.
Understanding the cultural diversity and unique lifestyle of the tribal community, the facilitators get involved with them by using local examples and local languages. The facilitators gave an introduction before the session and explained why they were there. They engaged in playful conversation and activities with the kids to win their trust and establish a connection. This encouraged the kids and those around to open up and participate fully in our conversation throughout.
As the class continued, a thorough discussion of drug addiction with particular attention to pan and gutka—things they used to see in their everyday lives—took place. To teach the negative consequences of these chemicals on their bodies, our team employed the storytelling technique. The children present over there listened with keen interest and responded to our questions too. They were actively participating in the discussion. The session was designed to empower the kids to make wise decisions and avoid the temptations of substance misuse.
Our team put in an outstanding and admirable effort. In addition to bridging the gap with the local community, it was useful in building continued support for the locals. The event helped build a better and stronger foundation for the tribe children’s future, free from the chains of drug abuse, by educating and supporting them.
