By Jack Lapauve Jr – EMTV News, Port Moresby
Forty-two participants graduated with Certificates of Participation after a week of training focusing on Child Protection in Mendi, Southern Highlands.
Participants came from respective Catholic Parishes within Mendi District, as well as Community Development Officers from the 4 districts.
Acting Chief Executive Officer for the Office of Child and Family Services, Simon Yanis, says churches play an important role in delivering those services to protect children.
Mr Yanis emphasized that the children are the government’s responsibility and want to ensure that children living in Care Centres must have their data collected and registered.
The Training was hosted by the Mendi Catholic Diocese with the support of the Australian Aid through Incentive fund.
The training also attracted workers from the ULGA Out of Home Care Centre in Mt Hagen, WHP with Arch Bishop Douglas of Mt Hagen Diocese taking the initiative to have them involved in the training.
It was yet another successful training through the Church-State-Partnership Program between the Catholic Church and the Department for Community Development with the Office of Child & Family Services given prominence in taking lead under the Ministry.
Bishop Donald of Mendi Diocese in his congratulatory remarks thanked the Government for taking the lead in conducting such trainings to upskill community leaders and volunteers in dealing with child issues.
