Chennai:
The Indian Community Welfare Organisation (ICWO), in collaboration with the Student Development Council (SDC) of the Madras School of Social Work (MSSW), successfully organized an Orientation Program for MSSW Student Translators at MSSW.
The orientation marked the launch of the Student Translator Initiative, a volunteer network aimed at supporting children and families who face language barriers during police investigations, legal proceedings, counselling sessions, medical examinations, and rehabilitation processes.
The programme commenced with a welcome address by Dr. A. Thirumagal, Coordinator of SDC, MSSW, who introduced the initiative and highlighted the importance of student participation in promoting access to justice, social inclusion, and child protection.
Addressing the participants, Ms. Shekinah Sidkeenu, Documentation Expert and Child Protection Professional at ICWO, explained the role and responsibilities of student translators. She shared ICWO’s experiences in supporting child survivors of abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking, emphasizing the importance of ethics, confidentiality, child-sensitive communication, and professionalism while working with vulnerable children and families. The session concluded with an interactive discussion and question-and-answer session.
For the past two and half years, ICWO has been actively supporting child survivors during police investigations, medical examinations, counselling, court proceedings, and rehabilitation under the child protection system. Through this work, the organisation has repeatedly encountered situations where the absence of trained translators delayed communication and made it difficult for children and families from different linguistic backgrounds to effectively participate in legal and support processes.
Recognising this growing need, ICWO has launched the Student Translator Initiative to build a dedicated pool of trained multilingual volunteers who can provide timely language assistance whenever required, ensuring that no child is denied protection, care, or justice because of a language barrier.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. A.J. Hariharan, Secretary, ICWO, said:
Over the past three years, ICWO has stood beside hundreds of child survivors during police investigations, medical examinations, counselling, and court proceedings. One of the recurring challenges we have witnessed is the lack of trained translators at the time they are most needed. A child should never struggle to seek justice because of a language barrier. Through this Student Translator Initiative, we aim to build a dedicated pool of compassionate multilingual volunteers who can bridge communication gaps, uphold children’s rights, and ensure that every child is heard, understood, and supported throughout the legal process.
Sharing the vision behind the collaboration, Dr. A. Thirumagal, Coordinator of SDC and Champion of Student Translator Programme stated:
SDC through its outreach activities connects students with real time social issues. The Student Translator Programme is a wonderful opportunity for students to use their language skills in service to children in need of protection, care and justice while learning about ethics, responsibilities, and the impactful work of ICWO. The role of translators is vital in bridging communication gaps and reaching communities effectively. I appreciate the SDC team and the student volunteers and wish each one a meaningful journey together.
Dr. J. S. Gunavathy, Principal (i/c), Madras School of Social Work (MSSW), appreciated the collaboration and encouraged students to actively participate in the initiative. She remarked:
On the occasion of the 75th year celebration of the college, I am happy to note that the outreach wing of the SDC is collaborating with ICWO for the unique initiative in providing much needed support for children in need of protection, care and justice.
ICWO expressed its sincere appreciation to the Madras School of Social Work, the Student Development Council, the faculty members, and all participating students for partnering in this meaningful initiative. The organisation believes that the Student Translator Initiative will significantly strengthen child protection mechanisms and make the justice system more accessible, inclusive, and child-friendly.
Call for Student Volunteers:
ICWO invites students who are proficient in languages other than Tamil and English to become part of this initiative. Students who can speak, read, or write languages such as Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Bengali, Bhojpuri, Odia, Marathi, Punjabi, Urdu, Nepali, Assamese, Gujarati, Sinhala, Baduga, Marwadi, or any other Indian or foreign language are encouraged to register as Student Translators and contribute their skills in supporting vulnerable children and families during critical situations.
For Registration and Programme Coordination:
Ms. Shekinah Sidkeenu
Programme Coordinator – Student Translator Initiative
Indian Community Welfare Organisation (ICWO)
+91 98841 60690
For Media Enquiries:
A.J. Hariharan
Secretary
Indian Community Welfare Organisation (ICWO)