GOODWILL SOCIAL WORK CENTRE,MADURAI,INDIA

GOODWILL's children give water a voice at the world water day International poster contests 2008 and 2009 organised by Nature-Voice-Our Choice,USA

Water resource issues and students need for understanding these issues exists in every community in the world – (whether rich or poor, urban or rural, developed or undeveloped).

Goodwill Social work centre, Madurai,India conducted a series of Poster contests for school children on the theme 'WHAT WATER MEANS IN MY LIFE' on 8th March 2008 to celebrate the International Water Day, which falls on 22nd March every year. This is part of the 'Children's Rights through artwork project' supported by ART VENTURE, Singapore. 366 children in the age group of four to 17 years from 47 schools participated. Of which, Goodwill Social Work Centre had sent as many as 200 posters to Nature’s Voice-Our Choice, USA, which organised the international poster contest in April 2008.At the international level, as many as 800 students from 12 countries participated, and 13 award winning posters were selected including the five posters from Madurai,India.Congratulations to our five International poster contest winners! Please view the photos of our winners at the Award Distribution function held on Saturday,21st June 2008 at the Goodwill social work centre. You are invited to view our web album at

http://picasaweb.google.com/chrisdangswc/ChildrenSRightsThroughArtworkProjectPosterContest8thMarch2008#

http://picasaweb.google.com/chrisdangswc/GOODWILLSChildrenWinAt2008WorldWaterDayInternat ional PosterContestOrganisedByNVOCUSA #

In celebration of World Water Day, 2009 over 3000 students from 9 different countries participated in the 2nd annual International Poster Contest sponsored by Nature’s Voice Our Choice (NVOC),USA. The theme for this year’s competition was ‘Water and Culture’. Educators were encouraged to spend time speaking to their students about the different ways in which water shapes their lives, culture, and values; finding examples in their community.

The greatest number of posters were sent by the Goodwill Social Work Centre in Madurai, India. This year Goodwill Social work Centre as part of its 'children's rights through artwork project'suppored by ART VENTURE,Singapore conducted a series of preliminary local contests for school children in and around Madurai,Tamilnadu during 15th February 2009-10th March 2009. Interestingly enough,the response from the children was so encouraging and it was wonderful to see a high proportion of school children participating in the poster contests organized by our centre. Of 2440 posters made by children, 966 posters were selected for submission to NVOC for the 2009 World water Day International Poster contest.

Six posters from international students were selected as winners. Finalists were selected by a panel of judges and the posters were then displayed at the Earth Day celebration on the national mall in Washington DC,USA and voted on by the public. The posters were judged on visual message, impact, and creativity.

Three school children from the Goodwill Social Work Centre were selected as winners at the 2009 World water Day International Poster contest. You may pleae view this link to see the posters of our children:http://naturesvoice-ourchoice.org/index.php/Example-Category/JA-Senecio-Graphic-style-personal-homepage-template.html

The poster contest is the first phase of NVOC’s 'Students Give Water a Voice' Programme; a three phase project that focuses on giving students an opportunity to combine art, education, scientific exploration, problem solving, social skills, community involvement, and volunteerism into one project that addresses

community water resources. This programme is aimed at showing students the multi sector approach needed to solve community water resource problems and empowering them to find solutions.

In recognition of the participation of children in the preliminary poster contests held in February-March 2009 at the Madurai district level, the Goodwill social work centre selected 123 children from 45 participating schools in and around Madurai and they were awarded first,second and third prizes (age wise and School wise).

An award distribution function was held on Saturday,5th September 2009 at JC Kumarappa Kudil,Gandhi Museum,Madurai,India.All the three international winners and 123 winners at Madurai district level were honoured.The function was attended by all the award winners,their parents and School teachers from respective schools. Award certificates and cash awards in Indian Rupees(equivalent to USD 40) sponsored by the Nature's Voice-Our Choice,USA were handed over to the three International poster contest winners.They were also awarded a certificate of merit and a prize by GOODWILL under the Children's rights through artwork project.

In recogniton of their active participation and achievements all the 123 local winning children were awarded a certificate of merit and a prize sponsored by GOODWILL. All other participants who were not successful in the poster contests were given a certificate of particpation and these certificates were handed on to the Principals/Headmasters/Headmistresses of 45 participating schools and institutions.

Photographs of the award distribution function held on 5th September 2009 can be viewed at the following web link:http://picasaweb.google.com/chrisdangswc/GOODWILLSChildrenWinAtThe2ndWorldWaterDayInternationalPosterContest2009NVOCUSA#

The Goodwill Social Work Centre is making efforts to create a Rain Center as a capacity building, training, advocacy and resource centre for children and young people and local communities in Madurai ,Tamilnadu,India. All the winners of 2008 and 2009 and other school children who have participated will have the opportunity to participate in this project.

Goodwill Social Work Centre is looking for partners who might be interested in supporting this rights based programming to protect and promote the right to water among children and local communities in India.

Dr.J.Christopher Daniel,M.A.,Ph.DExecutive DirectorGoodwill social work centreNo:5,South Street ExtensionSingarayar colonyMadurai,IndiaEmail:chriskan@satyam.net.inWebsite:www.goodwillsocialworkcentre.org