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)

CHILD LABOUR

Radha peered from behind the wall, her eyes like two brown orbs, filled with wonder. Today was her day. A day she awaited all the 7 years of her existence. Today, Maa won’t tell her to wash dishes and Bapa won’t ask her to help him in the garage. Today, she will not have to stoically bear the drudgery of working in a parlous factory to earn a meagre wage. Looking at the mirror, Radha admired her reflection with awe—red ribbons adorned her glossy pigtails and a blue bag, filled with books, sat on her shoulders. She straightened her crisp uniform one last time before running off to school. Today, she would receive the greatest gift of education.

Scared, lonely, hungry, hands set to work, waiting for a ray of hope to come. But, maybe it’s not coming…

33 million children (aged 5-18) around India face this problem.

33 million.

That is the number of children who have tasted the worst kind of prejudice: 33 million children have their rights trampled and stowed away; 33 million children may never be able to get an education; 33 million children may never be able to take full advantage of opportunities.

This is a problem that has taken India by storm. Whether it is the Chotu at the chai-stall or the 12-year-old Aarti that sweeps floors in Ms Kapoor’s flat; they are all victims of this social evil.

Child Labour.

These words connote a veritable monster that seems to take everything away from children—their books, their toys, their innocence—as though devouring childhood bit by bit.

It pains me to see that when we, fortunate children, moan for waking up for school in the morning, other children have been up hours before and are working in unhealthy environments to support their family.

Wages to labourers cover a large part of a firm’s costs and so in order to lower their costs, firms employ children as they are cheaper! Firms proudly reach the top of the charts by offering low prices and high quality, but extinguish the light in the heart of humankind’s most vulnerable resource—children—as they gallop their way up the mountain of success. Poverty stricken children, on the other hand, want to work as they are drawn by the dreams of a better life, thus falling prey to the firms’ well mapped plans.

However, just like all problems, this problem also has solutions. Firstly, I believe all citizens must be vigilant and if they notice any child labourer, quickly report the employer. 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, however, these procedures must also be monitored strictly as the subsidy should reach the beneficiaries only. NGO’s also play a key role in eradicating such problems, for instance, Child Rights and You (CRY) is a striking example and has worked endlessly for the welfare of children.

Children are the pillars of our country and if the pillars remain weak, then the edifice of the country cannot be held strongly. We must all join hands and take an oath to make India a better, safer and more beautiful place for children to live in.

Ria Malhotra, (15 years), student of Podar International School, Mumbai.

Winter Camp at Airoli, 2016

CRY in its initiative to provide an opportunity for the young and the less privileged children to develop and know the world that surrounds them, brought the winter camp to one of its promised school in Navi Mumbai.  For that going beyond academics, beyond the books and the classrooms was important, and therefore believing in what CRY stands for and the zest of those children, a winter camp for two days was organized for these kids with fun filled activities and short engaging films. This camp aimed at bringing the most in the children, that they could grab from the global perspective oriented videos and quizzes to the personality development and career counseling sessions.

The very first day began with the most refreshing of all, the YOGA session that involved them and the fellow volunteers into meditation and basic morning stretching asanas. Post this quick refreshment the children were engaged in the motivational short films that involved a brief interaction after every film. This was in itself an achievement, that although the films were in other languages, the children could relate and reciprocate the moral values towards the end very well. After giving them a practical awareness of the values that should govern an individual, what better time can there be to discuss the personality development. 

This was followed by a fun filled music and dance session that put these young kids on their feet and showcase their moves on the beats. The smiles on their faces was a moment, a moment to cherish. Later there took place a serious discussion on the career prospects these children can take pertaining their interests post grade 10. Knowing that the kids do not have much idea that there exists an array of professions, the highlight of this winter camp was directing the youth to first know themselves, understand their interests and know the careers  they can potentially take. The day ended with some yummy cakes along with some notebooks given to the school children.

Their enthusiasm that sprawled throughout kept the volunteers motivated and was in itself the least expression required to understand the mutual respect and understanding they had from an outsider’s observance.

-Frenny Patel, Intern (Mumbai)

It’s okay, I’m a girl…

It’s okay if I cry, I’m a girl for I can, it is my thing.

It’s not okay for me to go to school, I can’t, and there isn’t enough money for my dowry, what use is school to me? Says dear, father.

Its okay if I don’t get my milk, for my brother needs it more, he will take the family ahead, says mommy.

Its okay for me to not have a share of my childhood place, for, it was never mine,

Its okay for the males to take decisions on my behalf every time, for I never had a right over myself, says the society

It’s all okay, I will never be taught anything, I have been expected to know, to contain myself and be available for everyone, for I have to be selfless, do I have any other option than to keep other interests above mine?

It’s not okay for me to scream, for what kind of man will marry me; hence I must know how to cook,

So when my brother gets ready for school, I keep his Tiffin ready,

It’s all okay; I do not need to study, because all I am expected to do is what I’m told to do.

This is my responsibility, no one  wishes to take mine, nor does anyone wish to know my needs or desires, but it’s okay, they are saving for my dowry, and there cannot ever be anything more a big thing one can do for me, I’m thankful.

I don’t know why I’m not allowed to school, but I think I know everything, for I can cook and keep the house, that’s enough right?

There are times when I feel the world is pestering me, that my emptiness has deepened the hollow sphere where my voices echo,

These voices no one wishes to hear, for they are unheard of.

Even I wish to go around and play, wear the ironed uniform, smell those new pages of a book, sharp a pencil from both the ends. There’s a lot I want to say, I wish, but I know I cannot.

I know I cannot but I don’t really know why, nobody tells me,

Although granny says that I’m a girl and I must be this way, I cry but it is okay, because do boys cry?

I sigh the little world I am caged in, where the body is mine but not the soul, I cry.

It’s like a wrecked boat sank, but in my fancies I still kept sailing,

Should I accept or expect, I ask? Where faith lies hidden I believe,          

what I desire for is yet an unturned page, where my whims and fancies run alike,                                   the fatal truth that I am bound to, unleash my disguised self.

Deliberate I am, for what I long,

Patience is what I can wait with,

But ambiguity sweeps away even the rarest of hope.

All I would want is may be a pat on my back, daddy, a space to see myself, to see the world with my eyes.

The greatest courage I have is merely only to write ‘’I’’ here with no identity.  

-I

  

The stark reality speaks for itself, the discourse the upbringing of children that take place, decides on the future we shape. The history has been enough to say how wrong it is to undermine the strength that the known delicacies possess. It is merely making the future that we are limiting the potential of the world.

-Frenny Patel

THE SKY’S NOT THE LIMIT

Feminism has been getting a bad rap lately. Like a game of Chinese Whispers, the word takes upon a new layer of meaning each time it’s spoken, ranging all the way from witch­burning to bra­burning, until all we’re left with is yet another convoluted propaganda buzzword.

At its heart, all feminism is either a more exaggerated or underplayed version of the more nuanced school of equity feminism ­ a belief in the social, political and economic equality of the sexes. Co­existing with the latest in evolutionary biology and psychology, equity feminism acknowledges that both sexes are not biologically identical ­ it recognizes these differences and calls for fair, impartial and equitable treatment of both sexes in all spheres of life.

This equity is a crucial ingredient for any society that aims to meaningfully contribute to sustainable economic growth, global peace and social justice. Unfortunately, it is an undeniable and morally reprehensible truth that the girl child, the young woman, the mother and the elderly lady, all have faced countless brutal forms of institutionalized discrimination for too long. Far too many women and girls are still denied an education, forced into early marriage or compensated at a much lower rate than their male colleagues. The rates of gender­ based violence against women are painfully staggering. There is also the issue of “gendered” sectors eg. STEM, which continue to restrict talent pools in certain job roles. Misogyny can creep into words, jokes and the media ­ both overt and benevolent sexism represent a significant problem that subtly but effectively undermine girls, and their self ­worth, from a young age.

In India, where the economy has been growing rapidly over the past 30 years, recent statistics appear to show that both, enrollment of female children in primary schools and women’s workforce participation rates have declined. A large portion of this can be attributed to successive governments not having given primacy to funding essentials like electricity, piped water and easily accessible and affordable cooking fuel, or the blatant corruption in the governing bodies. It’s always easy to point fingers, and yet, that does not show us the complete picture. A large part of the issue is our attitudes and biases (both conscious and unconscious) that systematically label girls as less valuable, inferior beings, which for years has gone unchecked.

More policy initiatives need to be rooted in this subtle understanding to singularly address these injustices to women. CRY’s School the Spark, for example, is a nationwide campaign that recognizes the value of a safe, educated girl child to break inter-generational cycles of poverty. It plans to ensure that 79,744 boys and girls continue going to school, are able to develop their abilities, complete their education and get an opportunity to turn their abilities into possibilities. When a young girl   is able to go to school, it sets off a cycle of positive change and is empowered to stand up against abuse and exploitation.

Consequently, reducing inequities, especially towards the female children and women, depends largely on a better understanding of how they are produced in each context, and on a commitment from policymakers to ensure that a country’s health system delivers acceptable, affordable and good quality care to all women, from early childhood throughout their entire reproductive lifespan. Men have a key role to play in demanding and supporting this societal shift.

Our education, health and legal systems are meant to give each of us a chance to succeed.. They should allow individuals, with a special focus on girls, to achieve their dreams while building a better future for our country. They not only hold up half the sky but also silently carry the world on their shoulders and still walk forward with an extraordinary resilience. Let’s listen to the  UN  when  they  say  that  girls  have  the  potential  to  change  the world – both as the empowered girls of today and as tomorrow’s workers, mothers, entrepreneurs, mentors, household heads, and political leaders.”

The time has come for the safety, economic security and political participation of women to be the norm, not the exception. We, as a nation and as a people, are making some progress, but let’s be honest, the situation is almost impossibly complex, and we need all hands on deck if we aim to truly change the lives of the girl child. At this inflection point, the possibilities are endless, the consequences, unthinkable. The sky’s not the limit. It’s time to get off our sofas and move from evidence to action.

So let’s get to it.

Nitisha Pande, CRY volunteer, Mumbai

CRY works towards creating a world where girl children are celebrated. Pledge your support to CRY at bit.ly/Pledge2CRY