Media Release

Panaji, Feb 8: “Feel that the child belongs to you”, said Dr (Fr) Simon Diniz, principal, Rosary College of Commerce and Arts- Navelim. He was delivering the key note address  for the one day seminar on the theme - Identifying the problems of children and counselling techniques” for the  teachers  organized  by EMMAUS, a counseling centre  of the Carmelite Fathers Mapusa in association with the Carmelite Monastery, Margao held at the Carmelite Monastery hall Margao.

“Every student is different” said Fr Diniz and stressed on the need to study the background and culture of every child.  Stating the fact that child’s mind has been polluted through different materials like CD’/VCD’s, magazines, television, internet, films etc, he said that 68% of the sexual assaults are committed by juveniles in Goa.

Expressing his concern over the increasing sexual assaults, he said that every 18 hour there is molestation and rape in Goa. He appealed to the teachers participants to be good identifiers, good counselors and be empathetic to sort out problems in students. He also took the overview of different problems faced by   the school students.

The seminar began with the prayer service led by Fr Anthony D’Souza, OCD superior, Carmelite Monastery Margao.
 
Br John Malvino Alfonso OCD, coordinator of the seminar welcomed the gathering and expressed the need to take into consideration the emotional needs of students.

Fr Diogo Proença OCD, director of the centre proposed the vote of thanks for the inaugural ceremony.

Fr Albano Fernandes speaking on the theme “Identifying the problems of children” stressed on the various psychological disorders among the students and explained with his own experience the behavioral and emotional problems of children. Merlyn Fernandes, a clinical psychologist explaining the term counseling, showed some techniques/skills in counseling and demonstrated the techniques.

Dr Afonso Botelho, associate professor, Rosary College Navelim College, speaking as a chief guest for the valedictory function of the one-day seminar of the EMMAUS appealed the participant teachers to be optimistic and look ahead to the possibilities and the opportunities in both the present and future. This will help the students to achieve success by developing them to build self image.

Catherene Coutinho of St Anthony’s High School Veroda, presented a report of proceedings of the day.

Tarkeshwar Naik(St Mary’s High School, Varca  and Rajani D’Souza(Shree Damodar Vidyalaya-Loliem) expressed their sentiments and gave feedback on behalf of the participants.

Br John Malvino Alfonso OCD proposed the vote of thanks. The whole programme was compered by RoseAnn Pereira.