Safe Custody Project
Safe Custody Project
Background information of the project
In Bangladesh, as in many other countries, many children are held in custodial institutions for their own protection. Some of these children may have committed an offence or are suspected of having done so. Other children are innocent victims of circumstance and are confined, often for a considerable length of time, in unacceptable conditions.
SPP received a grant from Australian High Commission-Dhaka to implement the project titled “Safe Custody Network Project”. At the beginning of the project experienced project staff members were recruited in order to implement the project effectively. They are a Project Manager, Community Reintegration Officer, Program Officer and Accountant. These selected staff members have extensive working experience in child protection, rehabilitation and as well project management. Shishu Polli Plus has also provided office accommodation at its own centre in Sreepur and all other technical and logistical support.
According to the project plan a total of fifteen organisations were selected, all are working on various aspects of safe custody. These organisations will establish a dedicated safe custody network to ensure the project goals are achieved. Project network members will share knowledge and resources, enabling their existing programs and projects to be more effective in addressing the needs of children in safe custody. Their representatives attended the first workshop and committed themselves to being members of the safe custody network. For practical reasons, within the short time span of the project, network members were selected only from Dhaka and Gazipur districts.
Project aim: To bring together expertise and resources in order to address the needs of children who are held under safe custody in Bangladesh.
Shishu Polli signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Save The Children who agreed to design and organise the workshops, research, documentation etc.
Names of the network member organisations:-
1. Ain O Shalis Kendro
2. Shishu Polli Plus
3. Nirmal Ashori Kendro
4. Utsho Bangladesh
5. Mohila Parishad
6. Vagrant Home
7.Tara
9. Mirpur Reception Centre
10. Lalmatia Safe Custody Centre
11. Manusher Janno
12. Dhaka Ashania Mission,
13. Incidin Bangladesh
14. Aprajeyo Bangladesh,
15. BNWLA,
Workshops and Dialogue with Children
Four workshops were planned to bring together the member organisations. One of these was entitled "Dialogue with Children" held on 16th February 08 at the newly built Shayo Kunjo Centre at Shishu Polli Plus. A total of 18 children from different government and non government organisations, who are under safe custody, joined the workshop to discuss their experiences and needs.
[1].JPG) 
First workshop Dialogue with children
 
Third workshop Steering committee and member organisations
Reports of each of the workshops is available on request to info@thesreepurvillage.org
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