Transform childhoods of 300 slum children in India

On 15^th August 2017, India celebrated its 71^st Independence Day. But the children in Lallubhai Compound questioned the very idea of freedom. On daily basis children face violations of their right to freedom due to unsafe surroundings and the insecurities arising from it.  Children do not have the freedom to play in the open spaces because most of these spaces are occupied by people engaging in substance abuse. In the name of maintaining discipline they are also stopped from playing in their houses, corridors and the society office that most of the times are kept locked.

With an objective to create “My Community Safe Community” the children stepped outside Community Resource Centre and claimed society office in their respective buildings. This opportunity was taken to inculcate the practise of allowing children to use society office, a space that is meant for all people living in the building, a sense of leadership and responsibility was inculcated among the group leaders by making them responsible for planning and executing the activities. Not only were the children taking responsibility of the activities, Community Child Protection Committee members and society members oversaw the entire process.

The group leaders took various activities like drawing, indoor games and outdoor activities. These activities were followed by a discussion on whether children have access to their rights after 70 years of Independence. The activity was carried out by 8 different groups with ten members each. They defined freedom for themselves as access to playground, freedom to roam around in the community without the feeling of insecurity and freedom to express their opinion. The children also discussed to take up activities to ensure these freedoms.