Pattaya is creating a force of volunteers whose mission it will be to help support children and prevent child abuse.
Prospective volunteers and teachers and 103 students from Pattaya’s 11 public schools, Photisampan School, and Banglamung schools assembled June 6 at the Boutique City Hotel to hear lectures from Deputy Mayor Wutisak Rermkitkarn, Social Welfare Department Director Pannee Limcharoen, two city council members and representatives of organizations involved in child protection.
The idea of the volunteer squad is that they would give advice to children and encourage them to participate in activities that will benefit them and society. The advice will be aimed at children who are potentially at risk of abuse, drugs or underage sex.
The objective is to raise the awareness of parents, teachers and all adults that children can easily fall prey to pedophiles.
The training included methods and strategies of how to keep children away from such situations and help teach things that may benefit the youths, people around them and their future.
Teachers were told that they are second parents of students and it is very important that teachers and volunteers be a good influence on children and encourage them to play sports or other fun activities that will keep their minds busy.
Also, they were told, it’s important adults share experiences with children to raise their awareness of dangers lurking around them.
Wutisak said the training will benefit the whole of society in the end as teachers, volunteers and parents get to exchange experiences with experts who wish to make local society a better and safer place to live.
It also will teach older youths how to be good examples for younger ones.
