One of SHELTER’s goals is to equip staff to effectively help the children and teenagers in our homes, Premma a/p Vellaisamy, Assistant Supervisor of SHELTER 2, was sent to Japan for a month to participate in the Japan-Malaysia Mutual Staff Exchange Training Programme for Child Welfare Workers. This programme was sponsored by the Foundation for Children’s Future Japan and coordinated locally by Asia Community Services in Penang. She was one of two participants selected from Malaysia.

Says Premma, “I had an enjoyable stay and valued the exposure of visiting various welfare organizations and homes.” Premma visited: Foundation for Children’s Future, Ministry of Health, Labour & Welfare, Child Guidance Centre, National Kinugawa Girls Home and the Arakawa Toy Library for the Handicapped which were all around the Tokyo, Hokkaido and Kinugawa area.

Premma was impressed with the well-structured social work system, which is fully supported and funded by the Japanese Government. The homes were well equipped with up-to-date equipment and there was sufficient manpower. She noticed that the children were well disciplined and carried out their chores and duties without having to be reminded. The home staff put up a united front when disciplining the children but showered them with a lot of affection as well.

Premma will be sharing what she has learnt with her colleagues. In this way, methods practised in Japan can be evaluated and perhaps incorporated into SHELTER’s Homes.