Alappuzha: A self-defence martial arts school named after Jisha opened by Thanneermukkom panchayat last week has become an instant hit with underprivileged children.
Some 100 students, both boys and girls, from class IV to XII gather at a community hall located near a Dalit colony of Ward 19 every weekend to learn safety tips.
The Jisha Memorial School, Maruthorvattom is now planning to attract more children with basic self-defence techniques.
“We give them safety tips including basic principles that intend to be developing the personality. They will get mental ability to take on abusers at critical situations with systematic training," said panchayat president K. J. Sebastian.
People here primarily make their ends meet with the daily labour. “We want every child to be able to protect them. We began it as a pilot project using panchayat funds, and we are impressed by the response. The project will gradually expand to all wards." he said.
Ward member P. S. Jyotis said they chose Jisha's name as a reminder of frequent rapes and atrocities against children and women. “There must not be another Jisha," he said.
The school is conducting single-day training by two trainers appointed by the panchayat. They also take meditation classes. He also attributes its success to the Kudumbasree unit in the area. They keep a tab on truants.
The school now plans to get the presence of a dignitary who has been handling women and children safety matters to give them safety tips.
“We are trying to get ADGP R.Sreelekha to conduct a class on the tenth day. Apart from this, we plan to bring in experts carry out awareness classes for the kids,” he said.
