Project Sanchetna Helping a community find its voice at Jaari, Geenj, and many more villages in Uttar Pradesh
The project area falls in one of the most backward blocks of Allahabad
Poverty is ever present in these areas due to ineffective implementation govt. schemes
Caste-based atrocities, violation of child rights and gender discrimination are quite common
Rampant child labour is another problem plaguing the area
Unequal distribution of agricultural land leaves many people in the village to work as daily labourers
CRY & Sanchetna
CRY process • CRY partnered with Sanchetna, a local NGO active in the region • Got an understanding of what people needed and the inherent challenges • Helped Sanchetna build its capacity to handle the challenges • Helped initiatives like the Bal Panchayat and self employment groups • Through awareness programmes, empowered the local community by making them self reliant and protecting their children‘s rights
Sanchetna • Sanchetna started in 2000 in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh (UP) • The mandate of the organisation is to reach out to underpriviledged children and their communities in one of the poorest states of India • Their direct intervention has been in 17 villages. In 30 other villages works towards establishment of community groups
Sanchetna started the sensitisation process in these villages by addressing issues like child labour
The local community was encouraged to form committees to address the salient local issues
Children’s groups and Bal Panchayats were formed
Children were encouraged to cook and eat together. This was a simple way of breaking caste and social barriers that have long plagued the community
With barriers broken, more children came together forming bigger and stronger groups to voice their issues and discuss their rights
The Bal Panchayat members conducted activities like ‘school chalo’ campaign, marches and nukkad nataks to bring to light issues in front of the community
Various contests were organised where girls and boys were encouraged to participate and showcase their talents
Be it swimming or marksmanship, these fun contests provided a forum for the children to interact and share their issues
Success Stories
Mahendra Rajak’s Story
Hailing from a very poor family, Mahendra started working at the quarry when he was only 6
“School was some place other children went, not children like us.�
Mahendra Age - 15yrs
CRY & Sanchetana persuaded Mahendra’s parents to send him to an informal learning centre started in the village
Today • Mahendra goes to school everyday • At age 9, he was elected the leader of the local Bal Panchayat
• He makes sure other children go to school as well
Story of hope and involvement • 2 HIV+ children were treated as social exclusions • They were not allowed to go to school and were not included in any activities • Children’s groups in adjacent villages came together and ate with these two children and made them feel welcome • They spoke to teachers and opinion leaders • The 2 children came back to school
After repeated demonstrations, Geenj got its first government primary school in 2002. School enrollment rallies were carried out by 10-13 yr old children urging other children to join school
Children who were earlier earning members could go to school because it was now free
Elders of the community came together under Sanchetna’s guidance to start the local community fishing trade
20 families collaborated to use the community pond to catch and sell fish. It brought people closer and helped them gain employment
Profits are shared equally and everyone benefits from the pond
Economic self reliance leads to better livelihood of the community which contributes towards children’s right to education, health, nutrition and overall childhood
Changes that came about • • • • • • •
The issue of child labour was addressed Platforms for development of children were created Elders gave a serious hearing to the concerns children had Divides of caste and creed were overthrown Children started going to school again People joined hands for self employment A sense of togetherness came over the community
Join us to ensure many more communities are empowered so their children enjoy the right to live, learn, play and grow.
Donate
Volunteer
Spread the word
To know more visit www.cry.org or email us at webinfo@crymail.org
Photography by Kaushal Parikh