WHY THIS CHILD CLUB?

Why a CHILD issue? - When the Children smile the nation shine, for a stronger nation we need to teach the children, childhood is the time to learn- a time to grow; we know all these things. Still the children are seen being exploited physically, mentally; they are seen washing plates-table in hotels, they are seen collecting polythene-iron pieces from the untidy garbage yards; they are also seen working in hazardous conditions. Whenever there is a necessity of pulling a crowd in a meeting- a rally- election procession or want cheap labors we search for children. It is a pity that they are not spared off human trafficking and flesh trades. Child prostitution in India has a greater demand for foreign tourists. They are sent to nearby states as cheap labor but return home sick, disabled and sometimes dead too. Despite of compulsory education and other numerous schemes a large share of children is deprived of education. How can we expect a stronger and developed nation with these miserable situations of children? A state, which cannot provide its children rights- to live, to grow, to nourishment, to learn is not a welfare state; nor its citizens cultured-civilized. Of course it is a good sign that concern for the children in the international level is rising. Hence it is right time for us to think about their welfare and their rights. Neglected childhood is not an isolated issue; it is a socio- economic problem.

for detail- visit
http://childclubodisha.blogspot.com/p/motivation-behind.html

A SHARING ON THE ISSUE




REPORT

CHILD CLUB MEET
Of KHELAGHARA- A Bridge School for Deprived Children
YUBA-The Youth, Rajustreet
9437222925, childclubodisha@gmail.com



We had invited prominent citizens and intellectuals of Jeypore to share about our program-activities and to collect suggestions from them. It was a part of our lobby advocacy program too. Representatives of deprived children and some senior youths from the operational area were also involved for collection of feed back from them.

Representatives of deprived children were introduced first; they told about themselves and their family.

For the knowledge of the new members of the child club the objective and the activities of the program was described by the secretary of the organization YUBA-The Youth, Jeypore. There after opinions and suggestions were invited from the house.
·        Mr. Devi Prasad Hota who has been selected as District Judge told that the care taken by KHELAGHARA for the mental, physical growth of the child is adorable. But instead of teaching them new skills they should be encouraged for their traditional jobs. The children working in garages or cycle repair shops would learn the job and that would be better for their future livelihood.
·        Mr. Ramesh Panigrahy, program manager CYSD, Boipariguda- In this KHELAGHARA we should give extra importance for games and sports. One negative impact of vocational training might be encouragement of child labor.
·        Mr. Madhu Harijan, a representive of he children and volunteer- On behalf of the child club we may arrange volley ball, cricket, carom sets so that children can play. Children can be benefited if we will arrange exercise programs every morning.
·        Mr. Sures Harijan, another volunteer from the community- Children are interested in dance. If music system will be arranged, children will be happy to dance.
·        Mr. Banshidhara Barik, CYSD Koraput- Our main objective is education for all. But if we convert the children from begging to sellers of coconut and diyas the objective of compulsory education is not fulfilled. Rather we should try to pursue them for education.
·        Retired Engineer Sikandar Patra- Through various games we may try to teach the children discipline and sincerity. We may provide them uniforms too for that purpose. For their capacity building and skill development candle making, phenyl preparation are better ideas.
·        MS Swaminathan Research Foundation scientist, Akshya Panda- Here in the KHELAGHARA project we have focused child as a unit. For a sustainable effect we have to think about their family too. We should plan for their livelihood i.e. food, cloth too. We have a Doctor ( Dr. Arjuna Nayak- resource person) with us, who can give them some medical service too. We can add some plantation scheme for every household of the participant children. We can provide herbal saplings from our institution too.
·        Mr. Ramesh Panigrahy, CYSD- For all these tasks; it would be better to start parent counseling program.
·        Mr. Jugal Sahu, teacher Balaput- Parents awareness is most important for success of this program. I would give stress for that.
·        Mr. Banshidhara Barik, CYSD- To stop child labor and to make the children go school we should think of increasing the family income.
·        Mr Abhisek Pattnaik, college student- Children would understand practical things, so we should give preference for that.
·        Miss Anusuya Bhattamisra, engineering student- We all should work as guides for these children.
·        Mr. Devi Hota- We may think about a child friendly alternate school.
·        Mr. Ramesh Panigrahy, CYSD- During the introduction session of the children it was seen that most of them have more than 7-8 brother-sisters. So it would have been very tough for the parents to make both ends meet. How can we expect the poor families to send all their children to school and to take proper care of the children?
·        Mr. Sudhir Kumar, Secy. YUBA- Mr. Ramesh has raised a important issue really. Big family size is a main rason for neglected growth of children and that starts child labor or deprived children issue. We should think about family planning conselling in slums.
·        Dr. Arjuna Nayak- Child labor i.e. deprived childhood is a big issue and the KHELAGHARA is a very small project. Let us work on few things at first and try to solve the problems step by step. There is no doubt that lots of things are to be done on this issue; we need a long-run plan for that.
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·        WINDING UP- Sudhir Kumar, Secy YUBA- The child labor issue can’t be solved overnight as it is a complex one interlinked with various social problems. It is interlinked with livelihood of the poor and has been socially accepted; hence prohibition of child labor is not an easy task. The best thing we can do primarily is to regulate it and arrange protection for the children. The children deprived of basic care from the society would be provided that by KHELAGHARA preliminarily. The rag picking or begging children are not given respect by the society. KHELAGHARA is trying to provide them sense of dignity and belongingness. The children begging around temples can’t be sent to schools straight way nor would they adopt some other task away from the present working surrounding. Hence we thought of motivating them to sold coconut, banana and diyas near the temple. Of course our ultimate aim should be to educate them.
·        Thank you all for joining the CHILD CLUB and giving thought provoking suggestions. We would try to adopt them in our future action plans definitely. Hope you all will help in advocating the children issues. We would try to adopt them in our future action plans definitely. Hope you all will help in advocating for the children issues. Above all the plight of children is not a childish issue, it needs grave concern. Let us all work together.