January 2007

Two one day programmes were held in Kalutara and Negombo with the aim of appointing Parish based volunteers for the Psychosocial Support programme. The programmes focused on giving awareness on how to handle difficult situations and on the basic principles of counselling. The events were facilitated by a Catholic Priest trained and experienced in psychosocial counselling. There were 81 participants in Negombo and 147 participants in Kalutara.

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February 2007

Three one day programmes were held at Moratuwa on 9 February and at Negombo on 23 and 27 February with the purpose of appointing Parish based volunteers for the Psychosocial Support Programme. The programmes were tailored on giving an awareness on the basic principles of counselling and also on how to handle difficult situations when counselling the traumatized.

A total of 166 persons participated and the events were facilitated by a Catholic Priest trained and experienced in psychosocial counselling.

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March 2007

Three one day programmes were held at Negombo on 6 March, Moratuwa on 20 March and Kalutara on 27 March in order to promote Leadership Qualities among school children for taking forward the Psychosocial Support Programme.

This programme too was facilitated by a Roman Catholic Priest trained and experienced in psychosocial counselling. A total of 450 persons attended these three sessions.

A two day Residential Workshop was held on 30 and 31 March at the Subodhi Retreat House Piliyandala attended by 56 Volunteer Coordinators selected from different groups. The Sessions concentrated on identifying Volunteers to be selected from the various Apostolic Groups for Psychosocial work and to also give the children and youth an overview of the concept of Psychosocial Development. The workshop also dealt with the mechanisms for conducting a Needs Assessment Survey for the Psychosocial Support Programme.