HELP EDUCATING 209 SPECIAL CHILDREN IN RURAL INDIA

‘Asha Ka Jharna’ as a voluntary non-profit organization has been working for the cause of disability since 1998. Our Three special schools for intellectually disabled (including cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities) as well as hearing and speech impaired children have been providing services in the semi-arid rural areas of north-western Rajasthan (INDIA). Special education, therapeutic, vocational, guidance and counseling to more than 200 special children and their families are provided on a regular basis. Training, capacity building in the field of rehabilitation and outreach services is also being undertaken. AKJ is also a collaborative partner managing CHILDLINE (1098) - Nationwide Toll Free Helpline for children in distress providing round the clock emergency outreach services at our Sikar center.

CASE STUDIES FROM CHILDLINE 1098 (24 x 7 Helpline for Children in Distress in Need of Care & Protection)

 1. WHOM TO TRUST (GIRL IS NOT SAFE IN THE FAMILY ALSO)

CHILDLINE SIKAR Team Executed It's Most Challenging Mission with Razor Perfection!

We got a call from Govt school principal at a remote village 120 KM away from Sikar informing us that she had received an anonymous letter on her desk in the morning contents of which were shocking. One girl wrote that her friend who is the class Xth student of that school was being sexually assaulted at the hands of her real father at home for last four years. Girl was in severe depression and on the verge of committing suicide. It was appealed in the letter not to ask the girl directly as her father had threatened to burn her alive if she told anyone. Whole family including her mother was aware of this abuse since long.

As the preparatory holidays were going on, therefore students of board classes were not available in the school. We devised an alternate strategy taking principal in confidence, our team rushed to the school next day where she had called all students of girl class on the pretext of board exam stress relieving counselling saying Rajasthan school education board team was there. CHILDLINE team of four reached there, male members took sessions of boys while our counsellor, one female team member and school principal interacted with all girl students of Grade Xth. After three hours of general group counselling session followed by one on one asking questions starting from academics related to any issue being faced at school/home, we finally zeroed in on the girl who was initially reluctant and seated in the corner of the group. Kind words opened up her who narrated the ordeal of her prolonged sexual abuse by rascal father after getting drunk and beating her mother. We counselled her to be made motivated enough to stand up against the abuse with full backing of our team and school , then called the Local Police there itself. Girl was made ready to record her version which she did in detailing. Whole statement was video graphed in our presence followed by medical examination at PHC which confirmed the assault. Police teams were rushed to her home as well as the work place of her father, a daily wager. Finally he was apprehended and he immediately confessed his crime shamelessly. FIR was lodged immediately and he was charged with stringent sections of POCSO Act. We asked the girl weather she wished to be sent a shelter home to which she affirmed. Police & CHILDLINE took the girl to her home for spot verification; took her study books and a pair of clothes. Then we brought her back to Sikar, produced before CWC and admitted into Girl Shelter Home.

It was midnight by the time our team members were back at their homes
But a New Dawn Rose for the Girl surely...

#ChildSexualAbuse

2. WHEN THE WHOLE SYSTEM CONSPIRE AGAINST HELP LESS CHILDREN

Recently , for three days CHILDLINE SIKAR followed up a case about a child marriage scheduled. Caller told that the groom was 17 - 18 years young. When we informed Police they duty fully assured us of action and spent one day. When our team followed up next day they said that boy was illiterate so no age proof document and they had got medical examination. Medical department has estimated the age between 21 and 25 Hence Adult so no cause of action. We cross checked with caller who confirmed otherwise. When we asked whether boy went to school ever response was in affirmative. We searched his school and talked to Head Master (Principal) who confirmed that he was a student there. We asked for age proof as per school record which he promised to provide today. When this morning we contacted him, he took a U Turn saying Village Sarpanch and local community had asked him not to interfere. He stopped picking our phone afterwards. Frustrated, our team landed into village school after two hours journey on bike as clock was ticking in. We scared him that being of Govt. School this may cost him dear. Finally, he relented and showed us school record mentioning boy date of birth (Not Even 17). We met Sub Divisional Magistrate of the block right there who in his all sincerity cancelled the meeting he was chairing with Tehsildar and other officers. He went to Police Station himself with our team, gave a sound verbal thrashing to SHO and called groom parents. They were restrained with oath not to solemnize this marriage. Bride was also 15 years only. SDM informed the Thana of bride residence jurisdiction also to stop the preparations being done for receiving the Barat. At 6.30 PM got confirmation that Marriage ceremony has stopped finally.

TWO YOUNG LIVES SAVED !

 #ChildMarriage

CHILDLINE SIKAR ACHIEVEMENTS :

From inception since July 2015 till April 2021, we have served 2298 children & their families in need of care and protection vide a whole range of intervention services:    

Child Labour Rescued

353

Medical Assistance Provided

193

Linked to Sponsorship/Palanhar Scheme

127

Protection from Physical / Sexual / Mental Abuse

334

Children Provided Shelter

95

Begging Street Children Rescued

328

Missing / Abandoned Children

156

Stopped Child Marriages

99

Emotional Support & Guidance

54

Linked to Govt Schemes & Counselling / Information

512

Non Classified Assistance Provided

47

During this period 9415 calls were received on our Helpline No 1098