My name is Ms. Selvamary, and I live in the Chinnapallikuppam camp in Vellore district. I currently serve as the District Coordinator for JRS- Tamil Nadu in Vellore. As part of my role in coordinating refugee outreach activities, I had the opportunity to participate in a training on JRS PSEAH (Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment) Policy and Child Safeguarding, facilitated by Sr. Johncy,  the Advocacy Officer. A total of 33 JRS-TN staff members, including myself, who are directly involved in the Tamil Nadu project implementation, attended the session.

This training was highly relevant for both my colleagues and me, especially as we regularly engage with children in the Srilankan Tamil Rehabilitation camps. It helped us better understand how to approach children, assess their behavioral and emotional needs, and build trust and meaningful rapport. More importantly, it emphasized the importance of creating safe, respectful, and informed interactions with children and vulnerable individuals. The session brought clarity to the core objective of the policy: ensuring that all JRS staff actively contribute to a protective environment. The use of practical discussions, real-life examples, and reflective activities helped us internalize these principles and apply them to our daily work. I personally experienced a shift from simply fulfilling my duties to becoming more emotionally aware and attentive to the specific needs of the children I work with.

One important insight I gained was that safeguarding is a shared responsibility. It should not be limited to staff alone; parents, caregivers, and teachers must also understand and apply these principles. I have since shared what I learned with the teachers in my area, encouraging them to build stronger emotional connections with children, observe their behavior more thoughtfully, and celebrate their development with care and intention. Today, I feel more confident not only in following the safeguarding policy but also in guiding others—teachers and parents alike—to create nurturing and secure spaces for children.

I am deeply grateful to Sr. Johncy for facilitating such an impactful session and to JRS for prioritizing the professional development and preparedness of its staff. This training has become a meaningful milestone in my journey of working with children and the forcibly displaced community.