My Experience of Volunteering at CRY, Pune

“In today’s world, saying that people know less about child rights, than rocket science is an understatement. The first step towards betterment would be awareness and creating awareness among the youth should be our priority.”Talking about child rights perception, our Pune PAG volunteer Chinmayee Mundhe puts forth her journey with CRY.

“A zest to contribute towards the society was one of my reasons to join CRY, but after two and a half years of volunteering, the innocent and hopeful smiles of the
kids, still happens to be the most prominent reason. The satisfaction of working at CRY can’t be put into words. It gives me a sense of contentment and merriment!”

The 21 year old MITCOE engineering student who teaches 5th and 6th grade children reveals an unforgettable experience - The Annual Function dance
choreography. “After the month long practice sessions, on the final day the execution was just perfect! I’ll never overcome the joy of dancing with those tiny-tots.” “The ever-welcoming, reluctant to give up and ever enthusiastic children are all my favourites and I just can’t be partial towards one of them. Yet two names cross my mind; Vaishnavi and Sonali. These two argue like sisters and are notoriously intelligent. That’s a rare trait and that’s why I adore them.”

“Working with CRY has been extremely rewarding. I have not just gained confidence to present my views, but also earned the respect which I see in those
adoring eyes; and trust me nothing can put a price on that. You learn more than you think you can and the kids are just a breath of fresh air. I would strongly
recommend new volunteers to join CRY for two reasons: Partly because it is the right thing to do. Mainly because somewhere there is a kid in all of us and CRY nurtures that in the most amazing way. My vision for the children is: Make the horizon reachable. Let education not be a luxury for them.”

“So, join CRY and don’t take my word for it... you will know all by yourself!”

- Chinmayee Mundhe

An Initiative: Personality Development Program For Slum Children

The Personality Development program designed and implemented by CRY-Child Rights volunteers in a suburban slum has successfully helped in reducing the number of school dropouts. 

Every Saturday, students from Jaibai Vidyamandir, a semi-English and Marathi municipal school nestled in the Shaninagar area of Kalyan, a suburb on the outskirts of Mumbai eagerly wait for their ‘lessons’ to begin.

The students are mainly children of rag pickers and construction workers. Due to financial pressures on the family, these children often end up rag picking or selling scrap during their summer holidays. Encouraged by earning small amounts of money, they eventually end up dropping out of school and working as child labourers full time.

CRY volunteer Roshan Sarukte who heads the Kalyan CRY Public Action Group developed a unique program to motivate children to stay in school. Soon to be a graduate, Roshan says he designed the program to bring the children back to the classrooms, get them interested in studying and eventually in their own lives.

“Due to family pressures and extreme poverty, many children end up working full time and dropping out of school. Our main aim was to get them hooked on to studying and convince them to be regulars at school. For this we had to build their self confidence first,” he says 

“There is a common perception that children from poorer backgrounds and specially those who attend government schools are not smart enough to students of private or convent schools. We wanted to change this perception and hence took it on the challenge of preparing these children to be more confident. Empowering these children was our objective,” says Roshan who along with his team of 12 has been volunteering every weekend at the school for last two years.

Both Roshan and Divya Mistry, another CRY volunteer looked back at all the information they had gathered over the two years and identified key areas which could be addressed with the children.
Soon the duo designed a module targeted at children studying between Std 5 to Std 7. The module covered four areas namely – Personality Development, Discipline, Leadership and Money Management.

The first session took place in the first week of June last year with 20 students. Though most of the students were able to read basic English, they were less confident of speaking the language. They also lacked the ability to present themselves well.

Photo Credit: www.photonaut.in

Roshan with his team of volunteers began the session with reading and writing skills for the classes as a whole and also personally catered to the ones who did not know to read or write at all.  He also helped the students with working on their postures while standing and reading in front of the whole class. Their pronunciations and grammar skills too were corrected from time to time.

Both Roshan and Divya Mistry, another CRY volunteer looked back at all the information they had gathered over the two years and identified key areas which could be addressed with the children. Soon the duo designed a module targeted at children studying between Std 5 to Std 7. The module covered four areas namely – Personality Development, Discipline, Leadership and Money Management. The first session took place in the first week of June last year with 20 students.

Though most of the students were able to read basic English, they were less confident of speaking the language. They also lacked the ability to present themselves well. Roshan with his team of volunteers began the session with reading and writing skills for the classes as a whole and also personally catered to the ones who did not know to read or write at all. He also helped the students with working on their postures while standing and reading in front of the whole class. Their pronunciations and grammar skills too were corrected from time to time.


Once the children were comfortable with these sessions, they were taught how to use hand gestures to narrate a story or to explain a text.
The volunteers also kept a check on the dressing habits of the students and emphasised on cleanliness by asking them regularly to wear their uniform, cut their nails, trim their hair etc. They were also taught the importance of good manners and speaking politely.
In few sessions, the team taught the students the importance of saving habits and how one should manage one’s money.
The outcome of this was that few children did save up their money and bought themselves either a ball or a new school bag from their savings.
Divya says the change these sessions have brought into the lives of these children have been eye-opening for them as well.

“We began it as a one-time experiment but it has made a difference in the lives of these children.   Jaibai Vidyamandir is a semi-English and Marathi municipal school with a capacity of 90 students. It is located in an area where families of ragpickers and daily wage construction workers reside in large numbers. It is hence extremely challenging to work with children in such situations.”
Divya recalls that how to further increase student participation, CRY PAG volunteers conducted health camps and art and craft competitions.

On Independence Day last year, 10 students from Std 7 for the first time ever, gave speeches in front of an audience of chief guests and the entire student body. Another 28 students gave speeches and presentations on their favourite leaders which included the likes of Dr A.P.J Abdul Kalam, Mahatma Gandhi and many more. The children began to notice changes in themselves.

“In Std 6, I was the boy who always sat quietly in the corner of the classroom. But after taking part in such activities I now give whole speeches in front of many students without any fear,” says Shivam from Std 7 who says that when he gave his speech for the first time in front of a crowd, he wasn’t afraid at all.

Once the children were comfortable with these sessions, they were taught how to use hand gestures to narrate a story or to explain a text. The volunteers also kept a check on the dressing habits of the students and emphasised on cleanliness by asking them regularly to wear their uniform, cut their nails, trim their hair etc. 

They were also taught the importance of good manners and speaking politely. In few sessions, the team taught the students the importance of saving habits and how one should manage one’s money. The outcome of this was that few children did save up their money and bought themselves either a ball or a new school bag from their savings. Divya says the change these sessions have brought into the lives of these children have been eye-opening for them as well. 

“We began it as a one-time experiment but it has made a difference in the lives of these children. Jaibai Vidyamandir is a semi-English and Marathi municipal school with a capacity of 90 students. It is located in an area where families of ragpickers and daily wage construction workers reside in large numbers. It is hence extremely challenging to work with children in such situations.” Divya recalls that how to further increase student participation, CRY PAG volunteers conducted health camps and art and craft competitions. 

On Independence Day last year, 10 students from Std 7 for the first time ever, gave speeches in front of an audience of chief guests and the entire student body. Another 28 students gave speeches and presentations on their favourite leaders which included the likes of Dr A.P.J Abdul Kalam, Mahatma Gandhi and many more. 

The children began to notice changes in themselves. “In Std 6, I was the boy who always sat quietly in the corner of the classroom. But after taking part in such activities I now give whole speeches in front of many students without any fear,” says Shivam from Std 7 who says that when he gave his speech for the first time in front of a crowd, he wasn’t afraid at all.

Mayur, another student from Std 7 says that he loves the classes on weekends. “We study the whole week, but when Saturday comes, we look forward to it as we enjoy the entire day with interesting activities. This makes our weekends happy and perfect. ” These changes in children have greatly influenced the lives of the volunteers as well. Divya, a Mass Media student confesses she loves volunteering and finds joy in the growth of the little ones. 

“These sessions helped us in understanding the children better and improving our approach towards them. We find that the children are now more attentive, polite and mainly interested in studying. They are regularly attending school and taking part in school activities as well.”

Children at our Kalyan Public Action Group

Photo Credit: www.photonaut.in

The teaching staff of Jaibai Vidyamandir also claim to have witnessed a miraculous change in their students post the personality development sessions. 

Teacher Rekha Gore says that during her lecture she noticed that students were very attentive and their participation in the classes too has increased. “The weak students are getting better.” 

Principal Jayashree Kher agrees with Rekha and says the efforts made by CRY volunteers have been very helpful. “They are doing a fantastic job. I saw many positive changes in our students during the school event. We too want to incorporate such activities in school but unfortunately due to restrictions on syllabus and other government work involved we are unable to do so. I would like to thank CRY volunteers for helping us out and I hope these modules will be implemented in other government schools as well.” 

“Apart from education, the overall development of a student is an important aspect of a child’s life. Empowering children to develop his/ her skills and abilities, to have a voice, combined with a sound formal education is absolutely essential,” says Kreeanne Rabadi, Regional Director, CRY-West.

Say NO to Child Labour

It is well said that “Small hands can handle a pen better.”

It is very imp for the people to understand the depth of these words which people fail to do so.

Child labour is the burning topic of today’s world. It is a work that harms children or keeps them away from attending school.

The International Labour Organization estimates that 215 million children between the age of 5 and 17 currently work under conditions that are considered illegal, hazardous, or extremely exploitative. Under age children work at all sorts of jobs around the world usually because they and their families are extremely poor.

India Is Sadly home to the largest number of child labourers in the world .

Large number of children work in commercial agriculture, fishing, manufacturing, mining, and domestic services. Some children work in illicit activities like the drug trade and  prostitution which forms the worst part of it.

We know that poverty often pushes children to work, yet it is seen that when children leave school early to enter the labour force they are more likely to end up in occupations that limit their chances of breaking out of poverty.

Therefore, importance of education needs to be understood over here. It is really important to understand that children at such a tender age should fill up their minds instead of filling up their pockets.

It is very important to find a solution to this burning topic of today’s world.

Child labour has also been a subject of public interest litigations in Indian courts.

There are many steps that we as citizens can take to fight against child labour.

Firstly, people need to abstain from employing the child as a domestic help. As per United Nations development report, 40% of domestic help in Mumbai are under-15 girls. I believe all citizens must be vigilant and if they notice any child labourer, one must quickly report to the police. This will ensure the child being exploited get’s timely help and is rescued.

Secondly, stringent rules must be set and exercised efficiently by government, against firms employing child labourers. The government must also ensure that poor children are supported and given free education and meals.

Thirdly, people should not encourage child labour by buying stuff from them in trains, on traffic signals etc.

Nikita Rathi, 2nd Year, BA LLB,

ILS Law College, Pune

Fourthly, we need to counsel the poor who have to employ children to ensure two square meal for the entire family. In our neighbourhood or locality we do come across poor people like our maid, milkman etc who have got their children working instead of being in school. We need to convince them that their vicious cycle of poverty will be broken only when their children are educated and gain a meaningful employment after growing up. We need to counsel the children as well who are engaged in labour.

And last but not the least, Non governmental organisations also play a key role in eradicating such problems by working endlessly for the welfare of children. Donating to prominent  and credible non governmental oraganisations like Child Rights And You, Bachpan Bachao Andolan etc. will  ensure that these children take up education instead of work. Additionally, we can also donate and sponsor a child’s education. This will ensure that poor children don’t face financial crunch and complete basic minimum education.

India continues to suffer from massive poverty and this poverty in turn gives rise to child labour because poor tend to increase the number of hands which can feed them. However, we cannot sacrifice the entire generation of children to poverty while we wait for it to end. It’s time we take oath and devote some time towards such social issues.

Our greatest natural resource is the minds of our children and I believe that investing in our children’s development from the earliest age is the single most important contribution we can make. It is important for the people to understand that education is the most powerful weapon which people can use to change the world and make it a better and a beautiful place to live in.

   NIKITA RATHI

Right or a Privilege?

On November 5, 2015 Indian Express published an article exposing divisive caste practices that take place in Tirunelveli.

The article starts off saying “In the schools of Tirunelveli, about 650 km south of Chennai, caste comes in shades of red, yellow, green and saffron. It’s what students wear on their wrists, on their foreheads, around their necks, under their shirts. It’s who they are.”

The article states that Dalit children (Pallars) are made to wear interwoven threads of red and green while, the colour code for threads worn by  Thevars are red and yellow, blue and yellow for Nadars, saffron for Yadavs--- all socially and politically powerful Hindu communities. These are mechanisms adopted for easy indentification, easy exclusion.

This is one story of exclusion of marginalized sections from accessing guaranteed basic rights. There are many other stories that don’t evn make it to the newspapers or go unnoticed and undocumented.

As of 2015, there are about 6 million school going children who are out of school. A whooping 6 million. However what stands out more to me is that the numbers are much higher for children from disadvantaged groups. This is worrying. 

The law says that everybody is equal. Everybody is guaranteed the same basic rights. And Untouchability is criminalized.

But in reality, we have long way to go.

Numerous reports of lynching, burning down of houses, rapes, torture, ostracization, killing that take place in some part of India every day, make their way into our daily newspapers. And you realize the caste system and discrimination that stems from is deeply entrenched into our society. The caste system still dictates our mind, behaviour, norms, values, social systems that is every means and manner of living.  

However something that is more worrying is the covert fashion in which the caste system manifests itself in institutions of higher education. You see no killings or rape. No beatings or burning of houses. What you see are student suicides, failures, degrees delayed for years on end. 

In recent years multiple scholars in universities have become victims of systemic forms of discrimination, institutionalized, hostility and indifference. The case of Rohit Vemula brought a burning issue to the forefront, an issue that has for long been managed to be suppressed or sidelined. This is the issue of discrimination and the plight of Dalit students in our country. The stories of many other students like Anil Meena, Senthil Kumar stay in obscurity or are forgotten. In the past four years itself there have been around nine suicides at IIT Kanpur – seven SC/ST and two General students. Suicide of Dalit student is at an all time high.

This is a little attempt on my part to talk about it.

I have a maid who has been working for my family for quite a few years now and I have watched her children grow. The other day I was conversing with my maid’s daughter, Aarti and while it was quite a normal chat about school, her friends, studies, teachers, I couldn’t help but realize how wildly different her life is from my own.

I realized how different our approaches are towards education. For me, attending school was as a basic aspect of anyone’s childhood- a normal progression of how things take place in one’s life. School in many ways was a burden for me because it came so easy. I never really gave it much of a thought when I was young, it was someplace where all kids my age went and that was it. For Aarti, education/schooling stands for something much more. For her going to school is vital since she has friends who aren’t encouraged to go to school. She knows how important it is, even at such a young age. She considers education to be a vehicle to a better life, a better means of living, a good source of income when she grows up.

Rhea Chauhan,

Student at St. Xavier's College

To give you a little background of her life- she is a Dalit and has had to migrate to the city with her parents who were looking for better prospects. Her parents have had to leave behind their eldest son back at their village who still continues to receive education. Meanwhile, Aarti and her brother, Vishal study in a nearby NGO run government school in Lower Parel. I know of the school she goes to, to be providers of good quality education for underprivileged students. She came home one day and recognized Malala’s autobiography on my bookshelf. She told me that they were shown a documentary about her. So I know she is receiving good education and that her school provides her with a safe environment and conducive environment to grow.

She is a very bright student and has high aspirations for herself. What worries me the most is- what happens when she goes to pursue her higher education?

The reason why it is pertinent to speak of these issues now more than ever before is because in a fast changing world that we live in, this is one social evil that has managed to live on. It has managed to permeate our minds and our exchange. And It is time things change.

Aarti is a little girl with dreams just like anyone else’s. But unlike many others, she has little access to resources and probably a life of difficulties if she intends to pursue higher education. But she deserves a chance. A chance equal to everyone else’s. Access to education that is not a privilege but a basic right. For her it is a fight for her basic right. A fight to receive what is hers.

- Rhea Chauhan (Intern)