Key Takeaways from the SO-JUST Betta Project: 5 Lessons for Working with Families

The SO-JUST Betta Project, led by Children First Agency and funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) under the Ministry of Justice, set out to make a big difference in how children, parents, and communities understand and practice child rights.

Working across Kingston, St. Catherine, and Clarendon, our team focused on helping families communicate better, helping children manage emotions, and creating safer, more informed communities. But beyond the numbers and activities, this journey taught us lessons that every organization doing child rights work should know.

Relationships First — Change Moves at the Speed of Trust

Partnerships made everything possible. Collaborating with the Jamaica Constabulary Force, Victim Services, Restorative Justice Unit, and others helped connect families to real support.

Still, we learned that strong relationships take time. Communication lapses or unclear expectations can slow progress. The key? Start partnerships early, keep everyone in the loop, and follow up often. Change happens faster when trust is built one conversation at a time.

Inclusion Isn’t Optional

One of our proudest moments was converting materials into Braille, making sessions accessible to visually impaired youth. That experience reminded us that accessibility shouldn’t be an afterthought — it should be baked in from the start.

When every child can participate, whether through adaptive materials, flexible facilitation, or inclusive design, everyone wins. True rights work is about ensuring no one is left out.

Parents Are Partners, Not Participants

We reached over 250 parents through workshops on positive discipline, communication, and trauma-informed parenting. What surprised us most? Parents didn’t just apply what they learned

they began sharing it with others!

Some started mini support circles or used lessons at PTA meetings. The takeaway: when parents feel empowered, the whole community shifts. Change at home is where rights become real.

“After the programme, we talk about rights and responsibilities at home. My son even reminds me sometimes.” – Parent of Child Rights Ambassador

Creativity Changes Everything

If you’ve ever watched a child act out a role-play or write a song about fairness, you know creative learning sticks. Through theatre, spoken word, and music, our Child Rights Ambassadors learned to express themselves and share powerful messages with their peers.

Creativity makes complex ideas relatable. It’s not just fun it’s how children and youth process, heal, and lead. Sometimes a drumbeat or a story can teach more than a lecture ever could.

Flexibility Keeps the Mission Alive

Community work isn’t always predictable schedules shift, schools close, and sometimes the rain just won’t stop. We learned to stay flexible by adjusting sessions, using creative pre/post-tests, and simplifying tools to fit each audience.

Being responsive doesn’t mean losing structure; it means being human. Listening, learning, and adapting in real time kept the project grounded and relevant.

Conclusion

The SO-JUST Betta Project reminded us that child rights work is really people work. It’s about relationships, creativity, and inclusion. It’s about meeting families where they are and walking with them toward a more just and compassionate Jamaica.

When communities understand rights, they protect them. When children find their voices, they change the conversation. And when we all work together that’s when things truly get betta.