Nutrition Week

Everything you eat becomes a part of not only your inner being but the outer part of your fabric as well. The food we eat have measurable effect on the body’s performance, they prove to have even more critical influence on how the brain handles its task. But today we live in such a time, where even if we want to have a healthy lifestyle, we can’t because of the heavy food adulteration that takes place in the market.

From basic salt to oil, fruits to vegetable everything is adulterated, thus taking this issue further CRY’s Public Action Group in Bandra decided to make a presentation about it and shared their concern with the fellow parents.

Enthusiastic volunteers were all eager to make a difference. The day begun with everyone giving a short introduction of themselves and later preparing themselves for the upcoming presentation with zeal and zest.

Being their first interaction with the parents there was a little bit anxiousness in the atmosphere, but like they say it’s good to be a little bit nervous.

With the last minute banter like making small notes, a final technical check, keeping all the apparatus ready for the experiments, they were all ready for what was coming ahead. Who would have thought that the things we learnt in our school days was coming in handy to reach out to these parents through the chilly brick experiment and the sugar chalk powder experiment.

At the final hour, anxiously waiting for the parents to arrive we had a lot of questions going through our mind: Did the children inform their parents about the session? What if nobody turns up? Is the timing suitable for the parents? Nevertheless these questions began to fade when the parents started to arrive at the venue. A sense of relief is what we felt when we started our session with around twenty parents.

The presentation started with informing the parents about different type of adulteration wrt to quality as well as quantity. We taught them various tricks as to how to detect adulterated food products be it milk, sugar, chilly powder etc.  We had a 10 minute break wherein refreshment was provided and also any doubts wrt the experiments were answered.  The second session started with talking about different food and the nutrient value they contain. Different components of food were explained like carbohydrate, vitamins, fats and protein. They were explained the advantages of using different types of oil apart from explaining the importance of having a healthy breakfast.

 The session concluded with a Q&A round, where various questions were raised by these concerned parents which were solved by the volunteers.  At the end the parents thanked us for holding this session and said they were looking forward to attend more of such sessions.

End Child Labour: It’s time to stop being a Silent Witness

I could throw out a bunch of statistics and facts at you right now, regarding children who don’t get the chance to be educated.

I could put one of many millions of images of children in waterlogged slums, in shoe-polish factories and cotton industries around the world.

I could share with you how at the tender age of 11, a little boy has already had a career as a miner.

I could start off with a well-meaning quote from a celebrity to put an end to child labour.
There is much more eloquent prose on the subject on the internet, than you can ever expect to read on this blog. That does not stop me from talking about it.

Because unless one talks, one can never be heard.

An issue like child labour can be completely eradicated in a country like India if every person does one simple thing: stop feigning ignorance of the reality you see around you.

Stop ignoring little Chotu who brings you your tea at the roadside dhaba.

Stop acting like you don’t see the little child who carries clothes heavier than his own body weight as your presswala.

That’s all I ask.

We write off many experiences in life as ‘the price to pay’ for our given status.

Being lonely at the top. Being harassed on the streets if you wear a short skirt. Being chided for coming out of the closet. Being married off when you’re just 14. Being made an errand boy at age 7.

Question this self-anointed price tag.

Drench yourself in the puddle of reality, rather than choosing the comfort of the pavement and umbrella.

As of today, there are 10 million children in India that work rather than study, that battle intense pangs of hunger and thirst  than struggle over simple division, that dance in the rain with no warm place to go back to.

The children are not the problem, but the solution.

That’s 10 million solutions.

Simple mathematics.

When friends ask me why I choose to go into slums with open, overflowing gutters to talk to children for a school enrollment campaign, and look at me as if I’m insane – I just smile. Because I’m too busy envisioning a world with no poverty and children happily going to schools every single day. That’s not my bold idealism talking, it’s a reality we can all create if we choose to. In fact, it is imperative that we do.

- Nitisha Pande (Volunteer with CRY)

Summer Camp - Day 2

Day 2 started with the Photography session at 9 a.m. by Anuja Gupta. Children were enthusiastic and interested to learn more about photography and see their photographs they had clicked the previous day. Children were given feedback by Anuja on the photographs and were given another assignment to shoot portraits.

After the break, all the photographs clicked by the children were shown to them and they were told where and how they could make their photographs better. The children who clicked outstanding pictures were appreciated for their work.

Children were happy and developed a keen interest in photography. Volunteers spoke about how they found improvement in the children and also their photography in the two day workshop. Children thanked the photography facilitator. The next session was a fun filled dance workshop where they began with a warm-up on a fusion of songs taught to them by one of our volunteers. Children had lots of fun dancing. A group of 8-10 girls even did a performance for all the volunteers.

The children were given medals as a token of appreciation and after that they were served snacks. The children truly enjoyed the summer camp and the volunteers also had fun teaching all the children. 

Volunteers Speak...

This summer camp has gifted me priceless feeling i.e. satisfaction of making kids happy. That beautiful smile on their face made me forget all the worries and has opened the door of happiness.

The way they address you as elder sister, treat u with such affectionate love and respect and their innocent way of asking question has created cute bond with them and I have started feeling more attached with these super cute kids.

-Prajakta 

I never thought working with an NGO would be so much of fun. The children's enthusiasm, dedication for their work, their never ending questions and innocence, everything made them very special.

- Srushti

I like spending time with kids and I got a chance to do so at Jaibai School summer camp, they were everything kids are suppose to be, you could see it in their eyes, enthusiasm, eagerness, fun and a whole lot of naughtiness. I got a glimpse of a way to have fun while I got a chance to help and looking at them I want to continue to do so.

- Clinton

Summer Camp @ Jai Bai School (Day 1)

The day started with the kids assembling at 8:30 in Jai Bai School, Kalyan eager to start the day. The volunteers interacted with the kids and got them to do energizers like “Fun Yoga”. After a short break the next session was on Photography by Anuja Gupta, a professional photographer. It was a new and highly interesting subject for the children. They were shown a few landscape and portrait pictures which the children found very fascinating. They were told the story behind each picture, how and where the pictures were taken. Anuja then took the children through the basics of photography as to how to hold the camera and how to focus on the picture that one wants to capture.

The children were then divided into 5 groups; each group was led by a volunteer and given cameras. They had to capture photos depicting what they love about their school. The children scattered around the school with cameras in their hands and a gleam in their eyes as they clicked to their hearts content. They captured trees, their school building, their classrooms, their friends, pictures with CRY volunteers while trying to be as creative as possible. 

Following this fun session, children came back and were shown photos of daily lives, these photos were shown to them so that they understand sometimes it’s not always going out for a scenic beauty and taking photos but even in our day to day life, in our vicinity we can find that life has some interesting aspects and even the little things are worthy of observing.

Volunteers then presented a fun filled puppet show for the kids. The children laughed their way through it while learning an important message about the importance of education and how important it is in life to follow our dreams, as well as to keep in touch with our old friends and keep cherishing the memories forever.

The last activity for the day was a presentation on traffic rules and road safety. The volunteers taught the kids the rules of traffic signals with an interesting game. They had prepared boards with various road signs on them. Various dangerous situations and the correct ways to act on the road were taught by acting out scenarios. In the end the kids got pictures clicked in the cutout of a car to make the activity more memorable and to add a little fun to the learning. 

Volunteers prepared a Puppet show for the children

Children participated in the Photography Workshop

Fun Session on Road Safety

Enrolment Drive - Bandra Public Action Group

CRY works in a very organized and structured manner with its group of volunteers who are highly determined and passionate about creating a positive impact in the society through their activities. 

Last few days were full of activities for the Bandra PAG. They put up a fabulous effort of creating awareness about child rights. It started with a formal survey done in one of the communities in suburban Mumbai. The intention of the survey was to understand the level of awareness and prevailing conditions related to child education. The analysis suggested that nearly 20 percent of students dropped out of their schools due to various reasons. One of the reasons was lack of knowledge about child education in general and its importance in developing a child’s personality among parents. Also, many parents had no cognizance of school admissions and hence, found it difficult to get their children enrolled in schools. This is where CRY stood up and played an instrumental role.

CRY volunteers worked hard to make posters with appropriate quotes. These posters were pasted at various places in and around the community. These posters are expected to make a significant impact when people living in the community would read it, understand it and take some action in promoting the cause of child rights. The volunteers did an enrolment drive in the community on 30^th April, 2016.

The volunteers shouted slogans, talked to families and tried to understand the condition. They ensured that people understood about upcoming school admissions and also volunteered to assist in the same. Moreover, volunteers also noted details about the students who dropped out of schools or are currently not enrolled due to lack of knowledge or financial resources. It was, indeed, an enriching experience not only because of the sheer passion put into the effort but also due to success of it. The families in community showed genuine interest in talking to volunteers and received the suggestions or advice made by the volunteers positively. The volunteers would carry it forward by talking to families in the community and helping the students get admission in schools as soon as school admissions are opened for this year.

It gives volunteers a sense of confidence in the work they are doing and makes them stand true to the mission of CRY. 

Volunteers speaking with community people
about importance of Education

At Kunchikurve, Kalina

Enthusiastic Volunteers braving the heat to spread the message in the community

Volunteers reached out to the shopkeepers as well and urged them
to send children to school and not employ Child Labour

The children also joined in the rally

“ children must be taught how to think not what to think” – Margret Mead

“ children must be taught how to think not what to think” –  Margret Mead

CRY  along with volunteers  came up  with a consent  that it is very important for children to know about their rights so that they can prevent themselves from exploitation and to make it a fun activity , more interactive and most importantly to grab children’s attention it was decided  to show them animated videos which addressed  common issues that affect children  and it was a privilege for me to be part of this journey.

I along with my team when reached in schools was greeted with hugs and beautiful smiles. Even scorching heat  could not low down their enthusiasm  for sports  seeing them engaged in various  physical  activities took me to memories of my childhood.  All students got very excited after seeing  screen and one of the  little girl in crowd exclaimed  with delight , “ CHOTA BHEEM  DIKHANE WALE  HO NA”.

We presented three videos in front of them. First video was about  importance  of education in a child’s life.  It made significant  mention of how education can help a child to achieve anything  in life. Following this an interactive session was conducted where students mentioned that they worked after their classes.  They were explained that at this  age education  is more important and they  should work only on this .

Second video was on child safety. This video passed on message of basic Do’s and Don’ts that are usually told by our parents and teachers. It emphasized on facts like Why chocolates and candies from strangers should not be accepted from strangers , why they should avoid walking alone at night, why they should never accept lifts from strangers, and always follow their parents instructions was explained in detail to them. They were also enlightened about the fact that inappropriate touching and caressing by is also not acceptable. The CHILD HELPINE number, 1098 was also introduced to them.

Third video was about drugs and alcohol abuse. During interactive session many kids told  about  their family members consuming Tobacco  and alcohol but they weren’t aware about  the fact that how life threatening it could be. Some of the kids even told that they were offered alcohol by their friends.  During interactive session children were told about threats and  repercussions  that they can have in their lives after consuming these hazardous things. They took oath and said ‘ NO’ to any form of drugs .

 CRY Pune Volunteer  Siddhant  says “ Regular interaction with students for 15 months  and community surveys  gave us sneak peek  into their home front. Teens looking up to elder  family members for tobacco and gutkha , alcohol was everywhere. We took it on us to waive them away from bad habits and it was really moving to see their eyes lit up when they were able to relate to video. Awkward silence after video suggested that there was something that clicked in their mind and our goal was achieved. For younger kids it was all about danger stranger. Excitement during and after video was refreshing. Their responses were filled with innocence and their favorite Tais and Dadas  (us).Children were asked  to scream for help whenever in need. Recent fad was about taking selfie. People have habit of taking selfies with random people  but when we asked children would they click selfies with random stranger answer in unison was “NO” which gave us a hope.”

It was a  serious session  in which students were briefed  about  importance of education , their  only job  should be to study and not working . Volunteers used innovative idea to convey message through animated videos so that children grasp the message more and understand the intensity of conveyed message. Children were asked to understand the message and practice the same. These effective sessions should be conducted very frequently with children, so that  they grasp all  Don’ts implement the same and save themselves from exploitation like  child labor, child abuse  and not  get  vulnerable to drugs.