On 25th May 2023, Railway Childline Thiruvananthapuram observed International Missing Children’s Day at Central Railway Station Thiruvananthapuram. The program started with the explanation by Mr. Sajeev (Team Member, Railway Childline) that the importance and relevance of international missing children’s day. The welcome speech was delivered by Mrs. Zeena Sunil (Railway Childline Coordinator). She switched-on the public about the day by day missing children data and the assistances provided the child in need of care and protection through children in contacted with railway. The presidential address was given by Mr. N. Mahesh IRTS (Station Director, TVC) said the significance of Railway Child Help Desk in Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station and he also shares the cases are increased day to day and the child Help Desk deals with them effectively. The program was inaugurated by Fr. Saji Elambasseril (Director Railway Childline, TVC) and he shares the need and causes for the child to runway from home. He also pointed out the need and care of every child in contacted with Railway. The keynote address was done by Mr. Ajith Kumar, (Inspector RPF, Thiruvananthapuram) and he shares the consequences they have seen faced by the children’s in the railway station and nearby the station location. The felicitation was given by Mr. Babloo Thomas, (Station Manager, TVC), Mr. Joy (SMRC), Mrs. Usha Kumari (Chief Ticket Inspector), Mr. Shibu (SI, GRP), Mr. Nizar (CHI, TVC), and Mr. Manuel George ( Program Manager, Don Bosco Veedu Society) delivered the speech by the work they associated with Railway Child Help Desk. Then the program went to the main highlight- which is the “Mime”. The mime was performed by the children’s of the Don Bosco Nivas and the interns of Rajagiri College, Ernakulum. The theme of the mime is about missing child rescue at Thiruvananthapuram Railway Station. The program was concluded with a vote of thanks was by Ms. Aiswarya Lawrence, (Team Member, Railway Childline). The program was hosted by Mr. Sajeev S (Team member, Railway Childline).
International Missing Children’s Day is an awareness event that is observed every year on 25th of May. The aims of the day are to place a spotlight on the issue of child abduction, educate parents on safeguarding measures to protect their children and also honor those who have never been found and celebrate those who have. This awareness event is run in conjunction with the Global Missing Children’s Network.
Railway Childline is an active and effective part of Childline. The outreach programs of the project mainly focused on child protection and providing awareness about Childline and its activities.