A follow-up intervention of the Return to Happiness program was activated by the Ministry of Social Transformation, Local Government and Community Empowerment, last month, to provide additional support to families affected by the 2013 Christmas Eve trough.

Program Coordinator Mrs. Urania Joseph said the program is timely because “it has been able to provide further psycho-social support to a number of children at the point in time where it’s really needed, because of the social challenges and the anti-social behaviors that are being displayed in the school system and in the community.”

Mrs. Joseph highlighted the role of UNICEF, the Ministry of Education through their team of Guidance Counselors, and the Social Transformation Officer for the South in ensuring the success of the initiative.

Southern District Counselor of the Ministry of Education Ms. Janie Joseph said that the sessions enabled participants to broaden their perspectives.

“When you get those kinds of reactions, those 'Aha!' moments, in sessions of that nature, you know that it is going to be reflected in the decisions that they make and the way they act. Change is never immediate, so I am hoping that in a few months, I will hear of those kinds of success stories,” she said, adding that both children and parents provided positive feedback throughout the course of the program, underscoring its practical application in their lives.

Vieux-Fort resident and participating parent Pearlita Amedee said that although coping has been challenging, she has improved with each session.

“I have been improving. We learnt how to cope with our kids and others in our community despite what we’ve been through with the trough and its aftereffects. We received many tips from the ladies and it has built me up. I have been putting the things I’ve learned into practice, and it shows especially when I discipline my children. Many times I pause, remember what I have learned, and I make the effort to speak to them differently.”

Ms. Amedee noted that the interaction with other parents allowed them to share private experiences and offer support. Realizing the similarities in their experiences provided a higher level of comfort in expressing thoughts and feelings.