Your generosity is bearing fruit in these children's lives in very visible ways! Balsena, the children's collective, had some impressive achievements in the previous quarter. From sharing pamphlets informing children about the child-helpline, to marching against substance abuse in their communities and conducting a leadership camp, they have been doing a tremendous job not only being advocates of change but also being the change they are advocating for.
Significant developments in the previous quarter :
• The larger organization underwent few restructuring in terms of programs and staff roles.
• Shaishav has started a new program (an improved form of an program that was discontinued in 2010) named Lokshala (The people’s school). These are community education centers for children of grades 1 to 7.
• Teacher’s in schools where the Balsena points are organized have started showing interest in learning the activities.
• Shaishav is starting a leadership development program for selected youth in the community
Lokshala’s double up as spaces for Balsena gatherings in the evenings. Children attending lessons at Lokshala are actively encouraged to attend Balsena program too. This will in turn give opportunities for more children to be involved in Balsena programs and in turn get equipped with life skills lessons.
Activities with the children in the quarter :
• Exhibition on history and geography of Gujarat and India to make kids aware of their state and country.
• Activity to teach kids regarding Human Body.
• Games to encourage brotherhood among children.
• Creating greeting cards with children for Diwali.
• Preparation of learning materials (story-cards) to encourage environment friendly practices among children.
• Lesson for kids in community on sustainable utilization of resources in the community, specifically water.
• Lessons for kids in community on safe garbage disposal, and pollution of air and water resources
• Children organized and celebrated the kite flying festival with other Balsena members.
• Navarathri celebrations organized in the Balsena points
• Cultural programs including the children cooking for themselves and others, and sharing the food with each other.
• Child-led cleaning efforts in the community : The children also spread the message of cleanliness form door to door.
Special programs/events :
A 3 day residential leadership camp was organized from 10 to 12 December. 24 Balsena members participated In the program. The camp had training under the following topics : Life Skills - Leadership decision making, team work, self-development, Child rights audit action plan
3 boys and 2 girls went on a 8 day study tour from 17th to 25th of November, to Shakthividiyal Child rights NGO in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. The visit Included meetings with other children’s collectives, and field visits with the organization. The children got an opportunity to explore possibilities in child led community development and best practices in child participation. The children were accompanied Mr. Falgun, Director of Shaishav, and Ms. Neelam, Dipak and Mr.Alpesh, staff of Shaishav and also Mr.Vipul and Ms.Daksha of Tarunsena (alumni of Balsena)
Children's rally against substance abuse
Substance abuse plagues slum communities like Khumbarwada. To counter this, the Balsena kids took initiative to spread awareness about the devastating effects addiction has on health. The rally was well received by the community as well as children and youth of Khumbarawada. See the youngsters in action at https://goo.gl/CYJtqB
Success Story : Successful advocacy for public transport facility in Fulzar
Fulzar community ( 4 km from the main road ) had very poor connectivity to the town before Balsena children decided to take up the issue. Lack of public transportation had been causing much difficulties for for only adults, but also kids who wished to go to school regularly. The absence of public facilities of transport was being exploited by the local players often looting the passengers. This situation had catastrophic effects on the attendance of children in the community attending schools in the town. This is when the leadership of Balsena kids decided to act upon the case. The kids represented themselves to the transport manager to find that the transport corporation does not have plans to offer a bus service to Fulzar. Determined, the children went door-to-door asking people to join in the signature campaign to demand the bus service. One of the major issues that the transport commission raised was the opposition from the local players in transportation. Rounds of discussions were done between youth, parents and others in the community.
After rounds of discussion, the children successfully lobbied 45 parents to represent the community and raise the issue with the transport corporation. The efforts bore fruit, and Fulzar is now serviced by a public bus.
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