Scouting and Values Education for Street Children

National coordinators of Ticket to Life project (TTL) gathered at Yellow Ribbon Hotel in Bangkok from 31st January until 3rd of February for a planning workshop.
 
This year’s workshop was conducted to develop a long-term strategic plan for three years for the APR Ticket to Life Project as well as a short-term plan for the following year. At the workshop, projects were shared and identified based on the success and challenges in each country, which allowed discussions on how to implement activities, document, and report.

The Chairman of the APR Management Sub-Committee, Dr. Somboon Bunyasiri, welcomed the participants and hosted the workshop in Bangkok. Regional Director Jose Rizal C. Pangilinan imparted his message, where he expressed his appreciation to all the National Scout Organizations who continue to support and contribute to the development of TTL Project, ending his message with a challenge, “as long as there are children in the streets who have not benefitted with the Scout programme, our job is not yet done!”
 
National coordinators were awarded their Certificate of Appointment, followed by their oath to continue running the project. National coordinators for 2017 are Md. Anwarul Islam Sikder of Bangladesh Scouts, Arup Sarkar of Bharat Scouts & Guides/India, Nur Rochmah Yuliatiningsih of Gerakan Pramuka/Indonesia, Ram Prasad Bhattarai of Nepal Scouts, Amir Naushad of Pakistan Boy Scouts Association, Mary Jane E. Arreza, Sophia U. Castillo, and  Arthur I. Griño from the Boy Scouts of the Philippines.

Participants discussed topics on “understanding the street children” with focus on educating children who are abandoned or raised in poverty. For session on “telling the story,” the coordinators were taught about the new digital engagement of WOSM launched in 2016 and an overview of internal and external communications at national, regional and world levels. Scriptwriting and visual storytelling through photos, videos, design and imagery were also discussed and these wrapped up with preparing quality content and sharing the stories through social media.
 
“Scouting and values education for street children” was also discussed.  The workshop also gave importance on implementing risk management approach for the children under this project with a review of the guideline on Safe from Harm – Child and Youth Protection. Documentation and reporting, as well as bilateral project consultations were conducted.
 
Remarks were given by member of the APR Scout Committee, Dr. Pattaroj Kamonrojsiri. Heartfelt thanks were given to all by the APR Director of Youth Programme, Syd Castillo, who coordinated the event.