Thursday, February 24, 2011

Education minister launches Children's hotline - Dial 131 or 800-4321 for help

Education Minister Dr Tim Gopeesingh on Wednesday made good on the promise he made the day before to students and launched a children's hotline that would operate around the clock, every day of the year.

Gopeesingh promised to establish the hotline during a visit to the Gasparillo Government Primary School where he met classmates of little Daniel Guerra who died by drowning.

The child went on an errand on Friday and never returned home. Reports say someone picked him up in a car. His body was found Sunday in a river near his home in Gasparillo.

Gopeesingh said the aim of the hotline would be to protect children. He explained that children who feel they need help would be able to call or send text messages.

He added that the service would be available even if a child feels she or he just needs to talk with someone.

"So anytime you are worried about something and you cannot reach your parents, or your teacher or principal or your immediate family, you call that child line. That information will be given to all schools in Trinidad and Tobago so you can get the telephone numbers. You can text and you can call in," the minister said.

"Whoever you suspect to be negative around you and you're worried about why that person is coming around to talk to you like that, or be so nice to you, tell your parents immediately. Let your parents be your close friend so you can talk to them about anything," Gopeesingh said.

In announcing the launch of the service, the minister said, "We know that there are many problems within the school population and this is the reason the Ministry of Education has had to have the Student Support Services with a number of school social workers - we have approximately 50, and a number of guidance officers and counselors - another 50."

He said the Non-Governmental Organisation, Childline, will be responsible for monitoring it.

The Hotline is the only telephone helpline in the country created just for students to have access to immediate counseling. Children wishing to call or text can do so by dialing: 131 or 800-4321. The call is free and confidential.

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Jai & Sero

Jai & Sero

Our family at home in Toronto 2008

Our family at home in Toronto 2008
Amit, Heather, Fuzz, Aj, Jiv, Shiva, Rampa, Sero, Jai