To: goanet@goanet.org Ref: JU/CL/2005-06/e-300 Date: 15/8/05 Press Note
1098 Childline Service in South Goa Childline, a national 24-hour free phone emergency outreach service, has been operational in India since 1995 and Goa since 2000. It is the project of the Ministry of Social justice and Empowerment in partnership with State Governments, NGOs, UNICEF, Academic Institutions, and the Corporate. Till recently the Child helpline 1098 was operational for the whole of Goa from Don Bosco Collaborative Organisation, Panaji. For greater outreach and considering the geographical vastness of Goa, it was decided to operationalise the service separately in the districts of North and South Goa. Accordingly, Childline India Foundation, the Nodal Agency for Childline service in India, appointed Jan Ugahi as the Collaborative Organisation for South Goa from where 1098 and the intervention service is to be operational. Don Bosco will continue to operate the service for N. Goa. The 15th August, 2005, Independence Day, is indeed a red letter day for Jan Ugahi as the new Childline phone service for South Goa, meant especially for children in difficult circumstances - including children ill and alone, children in need of shelter, children abandoned or lost, children being abused, working children being exploited or denied their wages or being bullied on the streets - has been installed and inaugurated by the SDPO, Quepem, Shri Tony Fernandes. The inaugural function, childrens programmes and the open house & exhibition during the day were attended by a large no. of children from our operational areas and well-wishers & friends. Some of the items included interactional programmes and testimonies of children on Childline and skits on childrens rights prepared by the children as well as a quiz competition on national themes.