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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1991-10-09, Page 9COMMUNITY Times -Advocate, October 9, 1991 Page 9 Kids on the Block searching for volunteers in battle against child abuse By Adrian Harte EXETER - Last year Carol Stuart of Exeter signed up for the Kids on the Block program and was so pleased with the experience that this year she is coming back for MOM. "For the first time in many years I wasn't working so I had the oppor- tunity to get involved," said Stuart, who said the flexible hours of go- ing to local schools to promote awareness of child abuse through a puppet program appealed to her. In all, the 16 volunteers involved in the Kids on the Block program did 65 presentations in Huron County schools last year. explain- ing to children the difference be- tween discipline and abuse, and to explain what constitutes sexual abuse. "Ideally it seems that grades 3, 4 and 5s get the most out of it," said Stuart. Younger children get too ab- sorbed in the puppets and miss the message. Older children are too "cool" to become involved in the show. "What we try to get across to the kids is that it (abuse) is wrong...and it has to stop," said Stuart. Children are also told that abuse is not their fault and that they have to tell somebody, anybody about it. "They have to tell somebody and if they're not believed the first time, they are to tell somebody else," said Stuart. Overall, explained Stuart, the Kids on the Block program has been accepted very well by the schools. Not only are the students told ahead of time to expect a per- formance in their classroom, but performances are followed up a couple of days later to see if any questions or concerns have devel- oped after the show. Each performance involves two puppeteers who use the "Bunraku" method of puppetry: the perform- ers wear black and speak normally, but the children become completely absorbed m the puppets and forget the presence of the adult. It's a technique that is very easy to learn. "They're amazingly animated. They take over the show," Stuart said of the three puppets the Huron program uses. Each has a complete biography and personality licensed by the American company that pro- duces them. Joanne, for example, is a 14 -year old who was sexually abused by her mother's boyfriend when she was 10. Steven, 10, is friends with Joanne and was physically abused by his mother who is now getting help. Nam is only eight years old and mistakenly thinks his father abuses him by making him do chores around the house. All three puppets are able to speak directly to the students in the classroom, answer their questions, and reveal details of their lives not found in the performance. "The puppets are amazingly easy to operate. They require a mini- mum of puppetry skills," said Sw- art. "Believe me, I'm one of those who can't walk and chew gum at the same time, so if I can do this anyone can." Occasionally, a child in the class- room becomes so comfortable with the puppet that he or she reveals ev- idence of abuse. The group, as well as the teacher, are required by law to report the "disclosure" to the Children's Aid Society (CAS). The principal is notified and the child does not go home until professional care has been arranged. Even then, Carol Stuart demonstrates how Joanne, a Bunraku puppet, Is able to make children comforta- ble enough to discuss the sensitive issue of child abuse. Annual hike VARNA - A landscape sparkling with beautiful shades of gold and red; trails free of bothersome in- fects; air spiced with autumn smells, cool and invigorating. The fall was made for hiking! On Sunday, October 20 at the Bannockburn Wildlife Area, the public will have a chance to sample all of the above and enjoy hot apple cider too. The Ausable-Bayfield Conservation Authority is once again sponsoring what has become in autumn favourit ;, the Bannock- burn Fall Hike. Between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. the ABCA will be providing naturalists at points of interest along the trails throughout the area. Relationships between habitat and wildlife will be featured and techniques that can be used to attract wildlife will be dis- cussed. •Bannockburn Wildlife Area is two kilometres north of Huron County Road 3, between Bruecfietd and Varna. The Authority requests that hikers bring their own mugs for the cider. The hike is free of charge and is sure to be a great family outing. VACATION ON US AND !NAM* • 10' MESH DISH • HEAVY DUTY ELECTRONICS • CONCRETE FOUNDATION • 150' SATELLITE CABLE • INSTALLATION with GI 2710 RECEIVER/DESCRAMBLER $3895.00 (all taxes included) Becalm roundtrtp tartars for two to either Bahamas, Hawaii, Marko, San Francisco or Now Orleans with this package. (Ask us for d oteNa) A(1fft$tLtbb)i . • . Foot 9n EKte th iMWMd THEDFORD 296-5565 the puppets can help. "After a disclosure, the child quite often wants the care and com- fort of the puppet," said Stuart. "It has happened a few times." The notion that child abuse is an isolated, unusual symptom of trou- bled homes is false. "It's prevalent everywhere. Hu- ron County is no different than any- where else...it cuts across the whole social spectrum. You aren't safe if your daddy's got money," said Stu- art. Most of the time, though, the pro- gram is more fun than anything else. "It is wonderful. It is really en- joyable...you never know what you are going to be asked by the kids. They!ask the mostiamazing things," Stuart observed, adding that she feels Kids on the Block gives her a chance to make a personal contri- bution to just one of so many over- whelming social problems. "In this situation, one person can do something. We can make a dif- ference," she said. "We have the satisfaction of knowing that child won't be hurt again." The Huron Community Child Abuse Coordinating Committee is looking for more volunteers for this year's program, especially from the South Huron/Exeter area. Pauline Lingard said that while a few of last years volunteers, like Studtt, are returning, many have gone on to other things. "We had a really strong base of volunteers last year, but many of them got jobs," said Lingard. "We would really like to have six or eight new recruits." A training workshop is being held in Clinton on Wednesday and Thursday, but Lingard said she is willing to consider volunteers who come forward even after the train- ing session. "The key is getting the right vol- unteer who can appreciate the chal- lenge and the opportunity," said Lingard, who said that interested individuals, male or female, can pontact her at 238-8053 for more Information on how to become a kids on the Brock puppeteer. Why Walt For the New Year? Make your weight loss resolution now. 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