Would you accept a job that requires a 24-hour shift, seven days a week? Are you wondering what the salary is for such a job and what you would get in return? What if the answers are, that you would not get paid monetarily, and likely would not get days off… But you would have one of the most valuable and rewarding jobs on this planet. Many of you may be shaking your heads at such a job opportunity, and not consider it further. Yet, many people in the world do have this important job, and do it magnificently – parents and caregivers!
On the first of June, we celebrated parents who protect, care for and love their children. Global Day of Parents stresses the crucial role of parents in the upbringing of children and recognises that the family has the primary responsibility for the education and protection of children. For the full and harmonious development of their personality, children should grow up in a family environment and in an atmosphere of happiness, love, and understanding.
We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the work of one of our DAPC grantees Fundación Dianova Nicaragua from Latin America. Through "Family Schools" workshops with parents and caregivers, Fundación Dianova Nicaragua made great efforts to strengthen family communication, family education for open and effective dialogue, health education, gender equality, and drug use prevention. Moreover, they also implemented “Strong Families” workshops in the Nicaraguan community to work through structured sessions with youth, with parents/caregivers, and then sessions with both groups together. After the completion of the project, Fundación Dianova Nicaragua reflected on the improvement in the participants’ perceptions of their family communication, and an increase in the parents’ comfort level in addressing sensitive issues with their adolescents.
Families are the most important institution in one’s early years in life, and remain an integral part of one’s social life. Let us celebrate all parents and caregivers and honour their hard work in raising the next generation of this planet!
