Seminar to focus on parent and child

This vision was birthed in the heart of Youth Director and Radio Producer/Presenter Marisa Elcock-Thongs earlier this year.

She explained: “Within recent times, I have been interacting with youth and parents in various walks of life. What has stood out to me is the estranged relationships that exist within families that have such a detrimental effect on the well being of all its members.”

Elcock-Thongs, who hosts the popular youth programme, Youth in Focus, on Sundays at 4pm on ISAAC 98.1fm, said an experience that she had on air underscored the extent of the problem.

“On one programme, we invited young people and parents to come and discuss issues affecting their relationships with each other. The response was amazing! We realised that each group had a lot to ask and a lot to say concerning parent child relationships and this could not be fully explored in a two-hour programme. Since then, I felt that this forum needed to be widened and this experience shared.”

Working along with Marisa on this project is a team of professional counsellors, social workers and ministers as well as the Youth in Focus Executive. The 12-member Performing Arts Team will be re-enacting a “Jerry Springer” type drama to highlight some of the more serious issues.

“The cry has been coming from different quarters, from the government to families on the street,” said Elcock-Thongs.

“That cry is that we must live right. But we can only live right if all parties involved do their part. A parent cannot tell a child to do as I say and not as I do and expect that child to turn out different from himself/herself. Similarly, a child cannot expect to ignore his parents’ instructions, do what he/she wants and still be favoured by his/her parents. It just was not meant to work that way”

This seminar aims to bring to the fore, challenges and concerns that face every family. Parents will get a chance to see how their behaviour impacts on their children and vice versa, in a very non-threatening environment and through the use of drama. “Drama enables one to couch the very serious in the quite humorous and still say what needs to be said,” Elcock-Thongs explained.

There will be sharing and feedback, questions and answers, discussions and workshops, counselling and problem-solving during the Saturday session. On the Sunday there will be a fun-filled Family Day enabling families to just relax together and have good, old-fashioned fun.

Booths and counselling services will also be available. The two days will culminate with team building exercises and a family competition encouraging families to compete in specialised areas such as drama, song and monologue. The youth ministry will also be launching a youth club open to young people who want to live a positive and morally upright life.

“It promises to be beautiful” said Elcock-Thongs. “Its a lot of work, but with your honest and early response, we can make a difference in this nation, one family at a time. Why not let that one family be your family.”

For participation and further information Youth in Focus at 628-0904, 734-6966 or 782-3768.