CRY IN ACTION 2012-13

Dear Friend,

Imagine 500,000 dreams and aspirations becoming a reality simply by enroling children into schools. Imagine over 900,000 children enjoying a childhood - playing, learning, eating healthily and growing happy. Such enduring transformations are only possible when all of us come together and make a commitment to put children first. And that is exactly what you ensured! Each of you reading this CRY in Action, translated your thoughts to actions, by donating your money, your time, and your wishes to ensure that change happens, for good. This issue presents your testimony to a singular vision and cause - voices of children, project partners, donors, volunteers, media, and corporate partners; each one telling us why it’s important to put children first.

When you read these expressions, it gives you hope that change is possible. At the same time, it alerts you to the alarming situation of children and to how much more we still have to do as a nation for our children. With less than half of India's children between the ages of 6 and 14 years not attending school, more than 5 million children working as child labourers; and every sixth girl child being discriminated against - changing this situation of children is really the litmus test of the health of a society.

At CRY, we are committed to our vision for every child and over the course of the next 10 years, we will continue to make children and their rights a priority by meeting our five main goals:

• We will continue in our efforts to ensure that every child across the country has access to quality education that is free for all children until they turn 18.

• We will redouble our efforts to ensure that children survive, grow and develop healthily- more mothers and children in every village and town will be able to access free and quality primary health care.

• We will aggressively tackle the malnutrition epidemic, actively focusing on bringing about a reduction in the rate of child malnutrition in CRY project areas.

• We commit to ensure the safety of every child through our advocacy efforts, by contributing towards creating a protective environment for children that is free from violence, abuse and exploitation.

• And finally, we will continue to ensure that children’s voices are recognized as significant and unique in issues that affect them, and amplify their cares and concerns to society at large.

Each goal has distinct, measurable milestones for achievements in our projects across 23 states of India as well the power to enable policy changes that we hope to achieve. And most importantly, by placing children at the centre, we have defined the kind of lasting change that CRY can effect against each goal - with support from people like you. We urge you to continue with us towards our ultimate goal of a happy, healthy childhood for all.

With faith and goodwill,

Puja Marwha

Chief Executive, CRY-Child Rights and YouP.S. Please write to webinfo@crymail.org with feedback, to help us be more effective at what we do.

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WHY SHOULD WE PUT CHILDREN FIRST?Illness, premature death, illiteracy, incomplete schooling – have you ever given thought to how much this may be costing the child, their family, generations to come and society as a whole? A childhood minus rights - especially the right to food and the right to education, actually costs the country. In other words, it is not only poor children themselves who bear the brunt of deprivation, the nation does too.

Denial of the right to food and the ensuing malnutrition results in stunted growth, blindness and cognitive defects that lower attention span and reduce the child’s capacity to learn. When compared with well-nourished peers they are less likely to enroll in school and even if they do they are more likely to perform poorly and be less economically productive in later life. A malnourished child is more likely to fall sick, may take longer to recover and has greater chances of dying. Malnourishment stays with children well into adulthood, resulting in a workforce with lower productivity and less economic growth for the country.

Denial of adequate education, similarly results in a very large workforce which has little skills or whose skills are not given adequate economic value. When compared to a farmer in developed countries, the Indian farmer is largely working as ill-paid labour on another’s fields, because s/he is not educated enough to demand minimum wages, select a leader who will best represent her/his interests in government, and demand all the services due to him or her. In other words, an uneducated person is more likely to remain in the cycle of deprivation than an educated one.

Children are citizens of today although they are very often looked at as resources for the future. The Constitution of India does not distinguish children as lesser-citizens or half-citizens merely on the grounds of their age. Thus, all the fundamental rights granted to adults would equally apply to children. We at CRY believe that every child has a right to a childhood - to live, learn, grow and play. So let’s come together and put children first, and ensure they experience a childhood they deserve.

CRY supported project Kajla, West Bengal

VOICES:“Currently, our democracy takes very little action in advocating children’s rights,” said Shanta Sinha, Former Chairperson, National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) at CRY Corporate Responsibility Summit 11th January, 2013

Let’s listen to children first“For the first time in my life I wanted to be educated, I want to learn fast, become a civil engineer and start a promising career. I feel that I should become an engineer who knows to sketch huge buildings. I understand now that we also have rights. In the long run, we want this society to treat us as children– discrimination or privilege is not needed. I would like to change along with my peers in the children collectives, the prevailing mindset that children from slums are a useless, sinful bunch. If given a chance, we are also capable of doing wonders.”

– Appu, 15 years, Chennai

“Mere school mein to hamare sir pehle to yeh puchte hai ki jhuggi mei kaun kaun rehta hai , sab khade hojate hai , fir bolte hai ki tum to kuch nahi kar sakte, bade hokar to jhadu pocha maroge.” (My school’s principal asked us who lived in Jhuggi. All of us stood up. He said that no matter what you do, you will all grow up to become sweepers)

– Komal, 12 years, Delhi

“My dream for children is not only food, clothing & shelter but they should get proper education, guidance & love from all. Children should be given proper time & nourishment to develop. I see a different world where people from all walks of life, people from different locations come & work together for a better tomorrow. The world should be free from competition & there should not be a mad race for money. There should be dignity of labour. Everyone should be treated equally irrespective of the work he does. Everyone should get equal chance, should have freedom of speech to express himself.”

– Hriyuda Dixit, 15 years, Mumbai

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CRY volunteers interacting with community children

“All species care for their young. Children must never have to fend for themselves. It is an absolute obligation for adults. The only way to repay the many who directly and indirectly had a positive influence on my life is to give to others who have a need. And all children automatically have a claim on all adults. It's their birthright.”

– Aparna Tulpule, Donor, Mumbai

“I get a feeling that I am paying something back to humanity and to the society. Since I was born, I have enjoyed lots of comfort which the society has given me. Not everybody is blessed like me. So it's a moral

responsibility of those who enjoy the comfort to reach their hearts out to the ones who are not so privileged.”– Debasish Ghosh, Donor, Kolkata

“Changing the lives of children is a continuous process. Nothing can be done in a limited period. As individuals we have to continue to give support by way of financial help, time as well as other resources. I believe in

continuity and devotion without deviation. CRY is doing just that.”– Pawan Gupta, Donor, Delhi

“I believe that if we want to bring lasting and sustainable change, it can only be done by shaping the lives of our children, because they are the future. This lasting change will continue to show results even if we lose our vigour, because there will be someone to carry forward the torch… and only then will our efforts cross the finish line.”

– Nashvia Ali, Volunteer, Singapore

“Everyone, with or without privileges, must stand up against any wrong-doing happening around them, so that the world is a better place to live in for everyone. And educating and giving every child his right is the

first step. After all, they are the future of the world and only after helping them we can be sure that the future of the world is in safe hands.”

– Ketan Garg, Volunteer, Delhi

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YOU:Every right for every child should be the first step

CRY volunteers at one of our events

“PORD believes that every child has right to a happy and healthy childhood. Today’s child is facing multiple violations of her rights right from family level to community level due to various reasons. The State and the other duty-bearers have ignored ensuring of child rights. This situation impacts child’s rights to education, health, protection and healthy environment to live-in. Hence, PORD feels that child rights are important and they need to be protected.”

– Lalithamma, Project Partner, People’s Organisation for Rural Development (PORD), Andhra Pradesh

“Everybody in the world talks about Human Rights. They fight for availing services expected under Human Rights, they fight for enacting changes in Human Rights. But miss out the child and

child rights. They fail to understand if they will not work on child rights they may not find good human beings. The place where we are working is highly affected by malnutrition, food insecurity and

dearth of livelihood opportunity. In all of that, the child is the constituent of society who suffers a lot.”

– Sanjay Ingale, Project Director, People’s Rural Education Movement (PREM),

Maharashtra

Girls are

more likely to be excluded

from school than boys. As

many as 2 out of 3 out-of-school

children are girls.

DIDYOU

KNOW?

PROJECT PARTNERS:Child Rights should be made a priority

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Team at one of the CRY supported projects

Child rights in the news

MEDIA:Put children on top of our social agenda“Putting children first is really about ensuring a healthy future for our nation. No country can hope to progress and become truly civilised unless its young have access to food, shelter, clothing, education and a life full of promise; a life that allows them to explore their immense potential. CRY has been doing exemplary work to transform the lives of children in India. Though the task is immense and the future uncertain, the organisation has been continuing with its efforts to change young lives for the better... and possibly ensure that India will one day become a more hospitable place for its children, and consequently a more evolved society.”

– Manjula Narayan, Senior Assistant Editor, Hindustan Times

"It is indeed a matter of great shame that issues related to children are often neglected, even though they are the real India we are supposed to talk about. As they are the future citizens of our country, it is their issues

that need to be captured and put at the top of our social agenda. But, unfortunately, children's issues always lie low and hardly capture attention of the people at large. Keeping this in mind, I am really glad to know that CRY - Child Rights and You is taking up 'put children first' as the catch line of their advocacy campaign. This is indeed a nice thought wave, and I do hope the campaign would have a deep, positive impact on the society.”

– Dedbut Ghosh Thakur, Chief Reporter, Anandabazar Patrika

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CORPORATES:Children should be at the forefront of CSR strategy

“At Aviva, we believe that education is a tool that empowers individuals, but above all else, it is the right of every child. This has been the genesis of our global CR

initiative – Street to School. We partner with CRY for this project because of their reputation and long track record of doing sustainable work in the area of

ensuring child rights. Over the past 30 years, CRY has partnered with NGOs across India and has made a difference to several children and communities.”

– TR Ramachandaran, Chief Executive Officer andManaging Director, Aviva

“Nihar Naturals believes that education of underprivileged children is extremely important to ensure they have a bright future and to bring about progress in society. Nihar Naturals partnered with CRY and launched

‘Chote Kadam – pragati ki or’ campaign around World literacy day last year to offer a platform to today’s progressive women to enable education of children and hence take a small step in bringing about a big change in society. For the last one year, Nihar Shanti Amla has contributed 2% of the sales towards the

education of underprivileged children. On the occasion of World Literacy Day, Ms. Vidya Balan, our Brand ambassador visited Lusa village in Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh in September 2012 and engaged with the

community where she spoke about the importance of education for progress. CRY and Nihar Naturals have together worked towards providing 36,058 children a chance for education and will continue to partner and

create exciting learning opportunities for the underprivileged children in India.”

– Sushrut Pant, Head – Marketing Personal and Nature Care, Marico

4.98 million

children work in

India.

DIDYOU

KNOW?

Cycling for the cause of education – George P Johnson employees at the Cycle Rally in Bangalore

Aviva employees helping to paint a brighter picture for kids

Connecting with the children and their communities: Senior management from Aviva’s global and Indian offices, visit a CRY project

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RIGHT TO FOOD CONSULTATIONCRY and National Law School of India University carried out the National Consultation on Food Security Bill: Concerns of Children on 23rd and 24th December, 2011. The consultation witnessed extensive discussion on the issues and concerns relating to children’s right to food and the need for expanding the scope of rights of children to food and nutrition under the National Food Security Bill.

Child Welfare Committees (CWC) Study for NCPCRA comprehensive analysis aimed at strengthening the Juvenile Justice System for children in need of care and protection is the first ever qualitative analysis on the functioning of Child Welfare Com-mittees (CWCs) in India. This study is a result of a collaborative effort between the National Com-mission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) and Child rights and You (CRY) in Feb-March 2013. It presents the existing CWC field realities providing key insights into the system’s strengths, gaps and challenges.

Mr. Dr. R. Venkata Rao - Vice President of National Law School, Puja Marwaha - CRY CEO and Prof. Babu Mathews - Juvenile Justice Chair on National Law School of India University

Vijayalaxmi Arora - Policy & Research Director, CRY, Puja Marwaha - CRY CEO and Dr. Veena Shatrugna - National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad

HAPPENINGS AT CRY:

Volunteers of Chennai set up a CRY Action Centre to address child rights issues in the area

CRY Action Centre (CAC) is a small space in Surya Nagar, Chennai where people get to know about their child-related entitlements and share issues they face related to child rights. People seek support from volunteers to address queries about new government schemes and laws.

Volunteers conduct games and rapport building sessions with children along with focus group discussions about schools, issues of child labour and school dropouts. Based on these discussions, volunteers decided to initiate a dropout survey in Surya Nagar and form groups to start monitoring the school. The CAC continues to carry out its activities focused on child-related issues along with holding children’s activities.

Volunteers support Community members in getting an Anganwadi in Bangalore

The volunteers of the Yeshwantpur, North Bangalore Public Advocacy Group were engaged in an enrollment drive in 2012 when they met Manjula, who worked in an NGO-supported anganwadi (pre-school centre) in the Mohan Kumar Nagar area. During their interaction, she shared the need for a government anganwadi as the NGO could no longer run the anganwadi because of lack of funds.

VOLUNTEER ACTION: Addressing the rights of children

Launch of the CRY Action Centre in Chennai

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Manjula had approached the authorities but her pleas were not taken seriously. CRY volunteers decided to pursue this and managed an appointment with the Child Development Project Officer, who informed them that an anganwadi had already been sanctioned for the area but has not opened as they were finding it difficult to recruit teachers. At this point, the volunteers recommended and helped Manjula apply for the job as she was qualified to be an anganwadi teacher. Manjula got the job. The anganwadi is now fully functional and is buzzing with 30 children from the area.

Anjali, an active volunteer who was engaged in the process of initiating the anganwadi shared, “It was interesting to observe how the enrolment drive in Mohan Kumar Nagar opened up our eyes to the different problems being faced there. Besides it was also encouraging to note how with a little support the community members can create a difference in the lives of their children!! This whole process has been a very enriching experience for me.”

Volunteers in Kolkata ensure Aakash goes back to school

CRY Volunteers in Kolkata have been undertaking sessions with children of Dhakuria, a slum in Kolkata since February 2012 and helped form a children’s group. Children of this group not only participate in the various sessions on arts, crafts and theatre and perform at a public domain but also inform volunteers of child rights violations that happen within their community.

One of the first situations they came to know was the case of Aakash Baidya, a seven year old boy who lives with his father, grandparents, uncle and cousin in a one room hut and experienced severe domestic violence. Volunteers also found out that it’s been over a year that Aakash has been out of school. Volunteers, after failed attempts to get in touch with Aakash’s father approached the Child Welfare Committee [CWC] to discuss the case and figure out possible solutions. “It was refreshing for me to see non- NGO people, young people, taking the initiative for a change”, remarks Mr. Kallol Chakraborty, member of CWC.

Volunteer engages with children in a drawing activity at an anganwadi in Bangalore

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With the help of other Community members, the volunteers spoke to the father and requested him to take care of his son and offered to re-enrol him in the nearby school. The father agreed to send his son to school and not to beat him up. Volunteers continued with their follow up visits and Aakash is now going to school. Though this is just a first step, it was nonetheless an important and memorable one taken by Kolkata volunteers.

Volunteers in Delhi find a home for girl children during their summer vacations

Most children studying in hostels are thrilled when their school closes for long summer vacations so they can be home with their family and loved ones. But not for Priya and Rinki, twin sisters aged 14 years and studying in a residential missionary school in Delhi as they didn’t have a family and a home to go back to after the death of their parents. CRY Volunteers of the East Delhi Geographic Public Action Group intervened and sought the help of the lawyers group who helped in finding a home for them. The volunteers moved the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) and after significant struggle in identifying the right CWC with jurisdiction in the area, the volunteers were able to get a proper CWC order and the twin sisters were put in a shelter home for two months. The CWC order recognized them as children in need of care and protection and after the vacations were over, the girls returned to school and the hostel. This CWC order has brought a lot of hope in the lives of these two girls who now have a safe environment and a home to stay in.

Charu, a 4th year law student and CRY volunteer who was handling the case says: “The main learning through this case was how to decide as to which Welfare Committee to approach, that is, how to decide the jurisdiction. It is usually decided on the basis of where the child hails from or where the guardian of that child resides or belongs to.”

Aakash playing with friends

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With the help of other Community members, the volunteers spoke to the father and requested him to take care of his son and offered to re-enrol him in the nearby school. The father agreed to send his son to school and not to beat him up. Volunteers continued with their follow up visits and Aakash is now going to school. Though this is just a first step, it was nonetheless an important and memorable one taken by Kolkata volunteers.

Click Rights Campaign for the girl child – Finding Ichha

The Click Rights campaign was an ode to the caged desire (Ichha) of hundreds of girls who wished to go to school but could not. CRY encouraged people to click photographs of girl children who were out of school and used these photographs to amplify the voices of people who crave to change the situation. The campaign lasted for 40 days and CRY received an overwhelming response - almost 1,392 pictures were uploaded by around 518 people from all walks of life and from across cities in

Priya and Rinki at the shelter home in Delhi

People at the Click Rights exhibition

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Marico Nihar Naturals took its first step towards children’s education with its ‘Chote Kadampragati ki or’ in association with CRY. As a part of the initiative, every time a woman chooses to buy Nihar Shanti Amla, 2% of all proceeds will be contributed to the cause of children’s education. This initiative empowers women consumers to contribute to the development of India and connects them to women in villages in their fight for children’s education.

Hindustan Times (HT) along with CRY, pledged their support to four Delhi-based CRY-supported projects. Through the ‘You Read They Learn’ initiative, part proceeds from each paper went towards ensuring children their rights, especially access to education. HT also featured stories of change as part of their editorial content and showcased change makers from CRY projects.

Aviva Life Insurance continued to support CRY for the third year in a row with assistance to four CRY projects. This year also saw Aviva conduct a qualitative development evaluation research in one of the supported projects to capture the impact of CRY’s work through children’s voices. This research entitled PASSPORT, was conducted over three months and captured children’s voices through games, songs, exercises, group work and in-depth interviews. The findings have since been published by Aviva and are being circulated in relevant circles.

Eclerx Services Ltd., in its sixth year of partnership with CRY has supported three projects, ApneAap in Mumbai, People’s Rural Education Movement (PREM) and Gujarat Jan Jagran Sangh (GJJS). Eclerx has supported CRY through Payroll Giving and the Marathon and continues to be a strong long-term partner who believes the importance of ensuring education for all underprivileged children in India.

Sanofi Pasteur partnered with CRY for the ‘I for Immunization’ campaign to spread awareness about immunization in 20 villages across India. Sanofi also presented the Citizens Charter to CRY consisting of ideas for improving immunization awareness in the country, wherein they invited citizens from across India to submit these ideas. CRY accepted the charter in the presence of the Sanofi Team, Pantaloon Femina Miss India (PFMI) 2012 and the Indian Association of Pediatricians (IAP) in Mumbai.

Berkadia has been associated with CRY for the past 8 years. The purpose of this association is to ensure lasting change in the lives of children. Berkadia takes this as an opportunity to strive to do the best of its capability and contribute towards the cause of child rights in partnership with CRY.

ART OF GIVING:Corporate Partners

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We offer you exclusive gifting options in attractive exclusive designs for bulk orders, which can be customized to your requirements for any occasion.To know about our entire range and to place orders:

Contact us at: Tel 022 - 23061740 / 23096845 / 23063651198/A, Anand Estate, Sane Guruji Marg, Mumbai - 400011

CRY WORLD IS WHERE CHILD RIGHTS AND YOU MEET.

61031

Children don’t go to school because there aren’t any.You can ensure 359 government schools are built.

Thousands of children don’t go to school simply because there isn't one in their neighbourhood. As many as 17,282 communities in India do not have a primary school within a km of their habitation. Your support to ‘Mission Education’ can ensure 359 government schools are demanded and get built in the next one year.

‘Mission Education’ campaign is about ensuring a happy and creative childhood for 5,03,432 children across our projects in India and ensuring them their right to education.

Target 5,03,432 children:March 2014By :Mission Education

Yes, I believe all children should have the right to a childhood. My donation amount is:

` 3,600 - Enroll first time learners into school; children who have never been to school ` 4,800 - Support special activities to ensure that girl children enroll and stay in school ` 8,400 - Start, improve and monitor government schools to ensure access to quality education for all children ` 12,000 - Ensure enrolment of 100% of children in 1 village/slum, into school ` - I believe that Education is every Child’s Right. I support Mission Education

Please Note : All donation options mentioned above are to illustrate the change your donation can make to the lives of children. All funds/donations raised by CRY may be pooled together and allocated to other child rights endeavours depending on the need on the ground. CRY does not collect cash donation.

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Payment options: Cheque in favour of CRY - Child Rights and You Mail your donation along with this coupon to: CRY - Child Rights and You, Global Operations Division, 632, Lane No. 3, Westend Marg, Saiyad-ul-Ajaib, New Delhi - 110 030. Tel - 91-11-30174700/762/747 Fax: +91-11-30174777 E-mail: ic.del@crymail.org

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