Project aims The LEADS groups in Sri Lanka used a written survey with school children. A random sample of children was selected from several different schools by choosing every fifth child in the school registers. This was in an area known to be at high risk from sexual abuse. Parents were informed about the survey and children could choose not to complete the survey if they felt uncomfortable. They were told that the individual results would be confidential from teachers and parents, and the ...

by Bhima Sangha and CWC with Paul Stephenson. The story of the BHIMA SANGHA children, a union of working children in Karnataka, is a fascinating one of how children are organising themselves to make changes to improve their situations. The development of this union has been facilitated by the organisation ‘Concerned for Working Children’ (CWC).

Jesus and children The stories of Jesus’ relationship with children show his positive attitude towards them. He refused to accept the attitudes of his society towards children, which regarded them as insignificant and unimportant. Just as he was willing to touch the leper and the unclean woman, so he was willing to pick up a child to teach the disciples a lesson and to gather children around him as being important in themselves.

Child researchers from Bhima Sangha visited parents of members and asked them their views about their children’s involvement…

One in every three people in the world is a child. In Third World countries this rises to nearly one in every two people. This issue provides an important reminder of how often the potential of young people is ignored – to our cost. In many countries, children may be used as cheap labour, often exploited and working in poor conditions for low pay, damaging both their health and self-esteem.

Thousands of children all over the world are in danger of death or injury from land mines and unexploded bombs. An estimated 100 million land mines lie buried in many different countries. They are used by soldiers and terrorists and are easily available and cheap to buy. Land mines must be removed to prevent children and adults being killed and maimed – but this is difficult, slow and expensive as few areas are mapped to show where mines have been laid. Children can learn to be alert to ...

Sharing the lessons of conflict management I found issue 37 of Footsteps so interesting and appreciated the way you approached the topic of conflict management.

by Saraswathi, Gangadhara, Vanaja, Manju, Chandrawathi, Praveena and Pramoda. At first we tried to remember the history of Bhima Sangha by discussing together. At times we forgot things or got confused. But it was useful to look back and identify both the good things and times when things went wrong.

Health Promotion in Our Schools by H Hawes Published by Child to Child, 1997 ISBN 0 946182 10 8

by Glenn Miles. In community development, listening to people is seen to be an essential part of the process. However, even when participatory methods mean that the views of women, farmers, the elderly and the disabled, as well as community leaders, are heard, children are seldom consulted.

by Paul Stephenson. ‘It was really wonderful. No-one has ever done it like that before. Now we know what the good and the bad things are in our community and we decided on what we can do to make it better.’