Children - The Change Maker

Children Enjoy Cultural Festivals

Child development including prevention of child labour, child marriage and all kinds of child abuse are inherent parts of our programme. Hence all the activities of the programme is designed around these issues only. In addition, the organisation also engages community people and other stakeholders like schools, district authorities for its work of child development.

In last quarter, Shaishav organised several community based activities in different areas which are as follows –

• In this quarter, we organised different activities with children in community based childrens collectives centers. That includes sessions of discussion on various topics like cricket, paper craft, essay writing, information about different local snacks, orientation on human body etc.
• Similarly we also conducted various activities with Adolescent boys and girls during this quarter. The objective of organising adolescents and conducting exlcusive sessions with them to make them aware of various issues pertaining to their lives and safety. This includes awareness about the biological changes during adolescent period, career counseling, current affairs, online safety, self defense training to girls etc.
• Annual Function of Balsena children on 11^th September was one of the most awaiting days for all children of our children’s collective. That is the day when they all get opportunity to meet children of all areas and learn new things altogether. This time as it was during festive days we had organised Fun Fair for children with different stalls for games and fun. Some children also prepared snacks items and sold in the stalls. Approx 300 children had fun on that day.
• Shaishav also organised celebration of Navratri festival during this quarter for children. Navratri is the longest dance festival and among the most auspicious festivals of the nation. The children wore traditional costumes and performed  Garba  (folk dance) in groups.
• Moreover, we had celebrated a last full moon eve of the Local Hindu Calendar (Pre Diwali). The team went to a sea shore to celebrate. This was a good opportunity for children to know the importance about the day and the place.
• A team of 12 went to visit a Tamilnadu based (in southern part of India) organisation working with children named Shakthi Vidyal. They visited different programmes of the organisation and learned about the strategies that they use to retain the children with the programme.
• We also celebration birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi – Father of the Nation on 2^nd October. There was a gathering of children and some children told stories of Gandhiji’s life. At the end all children took auth of cleanliness and hygine.
• In August Shaishav conducted a two days training workshop for different organisations working with children. The theme of the training was to train the participants about “Play for Peace”, which means different child friendly activities to communicate the messages of values of life to children.
• In August, there was a meeting of Lok Samarthan Manch i.s. Community Support Forum in Ramdevnagar area which was participated by 30 people. This forum is consisted of community leaders, children leaders of child collectives and local facilitator of Shaishav. Besides we also invite local corporator/police inspector/municipal personel for the meetings as per the need. The forum takes initiatives in identifying the issues affecting children’s rights and their security and works on same.
• There was a training of School Management Committee for 16 members. The participants were given training on child safety in schools and provisions of Prevention of Child Abuse Act.
• In August and September we conducted two more meetings with community leaders on local issues of Kumbharwada ward of the city. And then met to the municipal commissioner and the collector to present the issues discussed in the meeting. The issues were related to the child safety and the need of child care centers in that area. The unique thing was that the issues were presented by the President of Balsena – the children’s collectives.
• Four trainings were conducted on child protection in different areas which were attended by 120 participans in total including 82 children. The training covered the issues of Provision of Prevention of Child Abuse Act and National Policy for Children.
• Our team conducted information about children engaged in child labour and non school going children so that they can be motivated to continue their education and relieve them from child labour. In four areas we identified 86 such children.
• Shaishav also runs child helpline for Child Line India Foundation to support the children in need of care and support. The programme covers entire district. In last quarter the team attended 52 cases of child help. This cases includes the cases of lost child, corporal punishment, family disputes for child’s custody when parents get divorce, relieving children from child labour, child abuse cases etc. 

• Children_the_Change_Maker_1016.ppt (PPT)