Rehabilitation of 360 Trafficked Child Laborers

Children in Transformation

In the second quarter (Apr-Jun’08) there were 94 children who are undergoing various kinds of rehabilitation. The distributions of 94 children who are undergoing rehabilitation in Bal Ashram are as follows: 1 Trade Number of children School Going Children 29 Non formal education 38 Motor Winding 08 Painting 08 Welding 01 Carpentry 02 Tailoring 08

It was exam result time and children came out with flying colours. Many children stood first in their classes and the following table details the results, class wise:

Name of the child Class Position in the class percentage Ram Lal 4 First 56.57 Sandeep 5 Second 63.14 Virendra Kumar Singh 5 First 78. 14 Samsoor 6 Third 57.55 Kailash 6 First 64.16 Pradeep Sen 7 Fifth 62.76 Kinshu Kumar 7 First 88.85 Amar Lal 7 Third 69.83 Dhara 8 Third 82.78

Kinshu Kumar stood first in the school with 88.85 % marks. Prize distribution ceremony was also held for these children in which Tehsildar (Head of the county), Mr. Ram Ratan, Mr. Nayab and Smt. Sanju Parik distributed colors, books, note books and other playing materials to these children. Director Bal Ashram, Smt. Sumedha Kailash gifted nine bicycles to these children.

By the endless effort of Bal Ashram children, letter with signature of about 1200 people, demanding ban on child labor and effective implementation of laws were sent to the Honorable Chief Minister of Rajasthan and to all the District Magistrates and government administrators of Rajasthan.

In the month of March, children of Bal Ashram participated in Bal Mela (Children’s festival) and presented a cultural program through which they sent a massage to the children parents and community members regarding the issue of child labor and importance of education.

A work shop cum training programme was organized for the children of Bal Ashram by Dr Anand on stress management through proper breathing techniques. As there are some children who have been traumatized in their past, this workshop helped children and the staff to enhance the knowledge and importance of stable and calm mental status.

On 13 March 2008 a medical camp and quarterly medical checkup was organized in the Ashram for the children. Apart from these, a yoga shivir (Yoga Classes) for the children was also organized on 5-6 March 2008 and on 13th March 2008 for the children.

On 21st and 22nd of March 2008, Holi (Festival of Colors) was celebrated. Children played with colors and enjoyed the festival with staff members and volunteers. In evening they presented a colorful program- sang and danced all the way and relished the festive sweets and fruits.

A lot of visitors from overseas as well as from various parts of India came to Bal Ashram to meet and interact the Bal Ashram children to know about the rehabilitation process and the functioning of Ashram.

One of the Bal Ashram children Banti, the Pogo Amazing Kid Award winner in leadership category was invited by Derek O’ Brien (a nationally renowned quiz expert who produces a quiz show for children all over the country) to participate in their Bournvita Confidence Champion, in which they choose 12 children from the entire country, who are all-rounders).

Bal Ashram children also took part in South Asia Congress on Child Labour and Education. On this occasion Honourable Education Minister, Mr. Arjun Singh, former Vice President of India Sri Bhairon Singh Shekhawat; Chief Minister of Delhi, Smt. Sheela Dixit; and other eminent personalities and children from India and the other countries took part. Bal Ashram children addressed the gathering and expressed their views on the issues related child labor, child trafficking and education.

10th anniversary of Bal Ashram was celebrated on 17th April 2008, in a very colourful manner. All the children and staffs joined their hands together and presented colorful programs of songs and dance. On this occasion many competition such as cricket match, sprint (300 metre, 200 meter and 100 meter), painting competition etc was organized for the children. As apart of the anniversary programme Ashram children also visited science museum, and many tourist spots in Delhi. This tour really helped children to enhance their knowledge on different subjects.

A painting exhibition Show your Hope’ was also organized in the Bal Ashram from 3-5-08 to 5-5-08 with the help of Foundation 80 Question. In this painting exhibition story teller Mr. Martin Scheet displayed some of the paintings made by people around the world depicting their hope. Martin was touring the entire world where he organized a painting workshop, would collect the best paintings and take them with him to tell their stories to the people of the world.

A programme was organized on 24th April 2008, as part of the Global Action Week to sensitize the children on different related issue of child labor and importance of quality education in life. Children were also taught World’s Biggest Lesson and were given a lesson on the importance of good and qualitative education in life and for better future.

A one day workshop was organized for the children of Bal Ashram On 5th June 2008- world environment day was observed. On this day all the children were informed about the importance of trees for a balanced environment and were also given orientation on global warming.

Bal Ashram also celebrated World Day Against Child Labor on 12 June 2008, on this day all the children took oath to work for the elimination of child labour and protection of child rights.

Apart from these activities classes on physical education and sports, cultural education, social education, non formal education, group discussion and vocational training etc were organized on daily basis. Cultural program and meditation at the end of every day helped the children to rejuvenate their energy to start up a fresh new morning.

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