REACHING OUT TO THE MARGINS

Amongst the various causes behind India’s innumerable issues of social concern, unequal distribution of wealth or economic disparity is one of the major impediments when it comes to education. Where a metropolitan child gets fancy school accessories at the beginning of a new session at school, it is the deprivation of the same and much more which becomes the cause of dropping out of school for many in economically and socially inferior sections of the nation.

In such a scenario, it is not necessary that the contributors have to be million rupees worth corporate firms or international organizations. Initiatives taken by local communities and well to do schools in the metros can be yielding, if done with diligence and integrity.

It is said that education is not the answer to the question but the means to the answer to all questions. Identifying this as the launch pad for a wholesome qualitative education, UNICEF in collaboration with central and several state governments has kick-started a wide spectrum of innovative programmes. Supplementing the government’s Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, GOI-UNICEF Elementary Education Programme focuses on enhancing schools effectiveness, eliminating gender and social disparity and reinforcing the resource base to confirm an emphatic scrutinization of the education system. When 13 students from the Valsad district of Gujarat wanted to shift from private schools to schools where ADEPTS (Advanced Education Performance through Teacher Support) supported by UNICEF was running, it was realized that when teachers are personally involved in improving the minimum basic conditions of the school system, students get attracted towards studies. Dr.Yogendra Mathur, UNICEF Representative of Gujarat said about their recent initiative that performance standards have been designed in a manner which caters to the expectations of the community.

Similar results were observed last year in the tribal regions of Orissa where the local schools were encouraged to integrate traditional methods of learning to increase their student base. SRUJAN, a special scheme under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and District Primary Education Project (DPEP) is founded on the idea of community building to develop education in socially marginalized regions of the country. Replacing rote learning which makes education a dead weight carried by students with innovative ways of teaching originating from their vested tradition and culture such as story telling reiterates the idea voiced by George Bernard Shaw – “What we want to see is a child in pursuit of knowledge, not knowledge in pursuit of the child.”

In a country which is characterized by startling gender bias, overcoming caste and class barriers without shunning gender discrimination would be a damp squib. Despite a surge in literacy rate from the 1950s, 90 million females are still illiterate. Therefore, it is important to realize the urgency of increasing the strength of girl students and their retention in the schools. Causes like lack of proper sanitation and awareness of hygiene maintenance during menstruation become the defining reasons for dropping out of schools. In association with TVS, UNICEF has launched sanitary napkin vending machines in the schools of Kancheepuram district of Tamil Nadu. This initiative, along with the rest of the programmes, can act as a source of inspiration for various flourishing schools in modern cities. They can participate in gender sensitization campaigns and weekly or monthly trips to government-run schools can be arranged where students from different stratum of society can interact and impart knowledge. The way Muslim girls in Lucknow ghettos put forward a manifesto which demanded relocation of schools near home, proper sanitation facilities in schools and a discussion in parliament on children issues, other states can follow suit

In addition to this, metropolitan schools respective of their geographical location can plan awareness campaigns in their district schools. Educational fairs can be organized by them where the district schools students could be invited to interact with their counterparts. Experiences like these for the students will teach them something which is difficult to learn in the four walls enclosed classrooms. Cultivation of such a symbiotic relation can become the foundation of a refined education system, characteristic of a healthy teacher-student relationship and burgeoning inquisitive minds.

When talking about quality education, the role of a teacher is the mainstay of such a project. Without the engagement of teachers, from taking a personal interest in the development of the students to making the classroom an enjoyable learning experience, the picture of a quality education system remains incomplete. Sometimes it is the lack of resources and infrastructure which cripples the teachers from giving their best. A substantial amount of their time and energy goes into doing work other than teaching. In such cases, conditioning of teaching and management skills of the teachers becomes a core imperative. Different schools, regions and communities have different and distinct requirements. First a clear identification, and then a systematic meeting of these requirements is what is needed to be initiated. This is what lied at the heart of the programmes started by UNICEF. If the same could be realized by the rest, one can only imagine the range of significant results it will bring with itself.

By :-
Harpreet Bhullar

Manorath Starts A New Venture -- School Workshops

Manorath has now entered in a new engagement to take its campaign to new heights.These workshops have already begun after seeking formal permissions from the MCD authorities.
The workshop begins with a fun filled, entertaining skit where the children are encouraged to come to school regularly and where they are informed about their rights. It is followed by a song sung by volunteers on child rights. After the skit and the song, there is a engagement with children in various ways such as colouring, painting activities While these students absolutely enjoy and loose themselves in the world of creativity and colour, for the students of senior classes we prefer a one to one interaction. The volunteers talk to the children about various things like about how important is education for all of them and how vital it is to continue their studies. They ask them questions about themselves, what is their favourite subject and probably some knowledge based questions..maintaining the fun quotient of course!!
In the meanwhile the volunteers also talk to the teachers about various the school or probably if they are facing any problem in the there. The idea is to break the ice and let them know that we are there to support them in case of any trouble. Pointers like school facilities and infrastructure are also noticed so that any lack in the same can be highlighted to the concerned school authorities. Finally a summary report of all the observation is made.

As of now there have been 3 successful school workshops (details of which you can read in the next posts) and there are many more to be held.We hope that Manorath finds success in this new beginning.

Mera Bhi Toh Adhikaar Hai !!!

Manorath has formed a children group in Dakshinpuri and the video shows Manorath members and children learning and singing the CHILD RIGHTS song together. There is Bhavay leading the choir, Amit swinging his hands from one side to the other and the rest of us in chorus . I am recording the video. Special thanks to Garima for uploading the video.

NOTE: The video has been shot and uploaded with permission from the children involved and does not violate child rights.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFV6v35e1wA

And if you want to humm along, here are the lyrics :

http://manorath-cryvolunteersdelhi.blogspot.com/2009/04/cry-anthem.html

PS. This is just the practice, the final version would come out soon ;).

For the uninitiated: The CRY Anthem is a song penned down by Javed Akhtar as a part of the "CRY Telethon". The Music is by Aadesh Shrivastava. It is is sung by Sonu Nigam, Alka Yagnik, Hariharan, Shreya Ghoshal, Udit Narayan, Shaan, Sapna Mukherjee, Babul Supriyo, Vijeta Pandit, Shankar Mahadevan, Abhijeet and Shraddha Pandit. Apart from the artistes mentioned above, the song also features Aadesh Shrivastav's sons Avitesh and Anivesh, Alka Yagnik's daughter Sayesha and Abhijeet's son Jai, adding to the beauty of the song. Following is the link to the original song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C05PWaYeNtE

A prelude

Manorath, the very name, takes one's vision to a softer, humane request for surviving, where we who are priveleged, raise voices for the children who are not. Here, we pledge, to make a difference in whatever way we can, to make the life of children better.

A child is the epitome of innocence, and the love one recieves from children is the purest. Their hearts are free of mailce, and their souls absolutely pure, away from the sightings of the world. This beautiful existance is called childhood, of which unfortunately, many lakhs of children are deprived today. We invite you, to become a part of 'Manorath', to share this feeling of a drive to do something for children, to experience the unconditional love we recieve from them, and to feel the satisfaction of having contributed in your own little way.

Lets help nurture the today, that will be us tomorrow.

The Sleeping Child

"As i went through my daily grind..
With thoughts and worries intertwined..
I lay my eyes on a sleeping child...
Resting in the heat that could burn the wild...

What had she done to deserve this...
Why cant i pick her up and give her a kiss...
Why is that suddenly all my worries seem triffle..
I have enough I said ..
But who'll feed this angel ??

The chips I had, to her I gave..
Feeling small at the contibution I made...
Wanted to do more ..
Could i adopt the child...
And suddenly ma boss called ..
Hurry up he said...
I said be there in a while...

In a moment I lost the smile...
That a pack of chips had brought to the girl...
I left that place...cause the heat was killing me...
I feel like a coward .. I had no right to flee...

Its our obligation as citizens of the world...
To feed the needy .. to help the troubled...
Why is then... we all commit the crime...
Of not being humans.. but only being prime...
The misery of defeat .. or the pain of death...
Doesnt compare to what I felt...
Seeing myself shy away..
From a sleeping child.. who had no way... "

By Shubham

MANORATH's intervention at the community level

Manorath members engage with children & parents in areas where MCD schools operate, One example is the Dakshinpuri community intervention ,near Ambedkar Nagar,South Delhi, where members engage with children of all groups and organise Drawing and other fun filled activites wid them. The group was able to identify problems with one of the schools and take it up with the concerned authorities.

Sachin with his masterpiece
Manorath members with children at Dakshinpuri

Manorath's Rally to demand books for 11 lakh children of MCD schools.

In April'09 when new academic session began , Manorath discovered that MCD has not given any text books to children of the MCD schools and the same was expected to not to be distributed till August'09. Manorath found that children were finding difficulties to continue with their studies without the text books. Therefore, To protest the attitude in the delay of the distribution of books on the part of MCD authority, Manorath organised a RALLY to demand the earlier distribution of books to the children.

Children of MCD schools & parents along with Manorath members at the Dakshinpuri park

Rally progressing towards the Residence of Education Minister

The protest was held along with other groups in front of the residence of the Education Minister,Delhi Government on 5th april'09 ,where in an assurance was taken that the books will be given soon. Manorath also wrote a letter to the minister holding him by his assurance. Our follow up interaction with the children has revealed that the books will be given to all the children on 1st of july when school reopens for the new session.

Infront of the Residence of the Education Minister
The rally saw participation of many children studying in MCD schools of Dakshinpuri along with their parents.

Ye Kaun Sochta hai

"Ye kaun sochta hai ?

Wo bachcha jo karon ke shishe ponchtaa hai

Jo daudtaa hai jabki laal signal ya sipahi sabko rokta hai

Jiske liye ruki hui car ka khulta shisha

Kismat khulne ke samaan hai

Gaadi ponchne par us shishe me se koi chand sikke de de

Jiske dil me bus itna hi armaan hai

Jiski kismat me bus sookhi rotiyaan, fate kapade

Aur ek gandi si basti me tin ka makaan hai

Jiske liye sardi ka kambal aur baarish ki chatari 

Ye khulaa aasmaan hai;

Wo kaise din bhar me apni choti-choti aankhon ke

Bade-bade sapnon ka gala ghontaa hai?

Ye kaun sochtaa hai?

Ye kaun sochtaa hai?

Ki wo bachcha jo sadak kinaare bheekh maang raha hai,

Kisi se car aur kothi to nahi

Sirf pet bharne ko chand sikke maang raha hai

Use bhi koi shauk nahi hai

Haath failane ka

Aur har doosre-teesre aadmi se gaali khane ka

Lekin wo majboor hai

Kyunki uske ma-baap ke paas paise nahi hain

Usme aur tum-me antar bus itna hai

ki uske ma-baap, tumhare ma-baap jaise nahi hain

Tumhare school me jitni fees jaati thi

Utne rupae me to uska baap

Poore pariwar ko paalta-poshta hai

Bharat-uday to wo jaanta nahi

Lekin har surya-uday ke saath

Ek aur din ki roti ka khayaal 

Uska dimaag nochtaa hai

Ye kaun sochta hai?

Ye kaun sochta hai?

Ki Bharat-uday aur ye chamak-damak

Bus kuch unche mahalon ka drishya hai

Desh ki thodi si janata ke liye 

Ikkisavin sadi-Ujjawal bhavisya hai

Baki ka desh

Khud ko in sapnon me kahin tatoltaa hai

Desh ka kya hoga ?

Jab is desh ka yuva chand suvidhaaon ke liye

Khud ko ek andhi daud me jhonkta hai

Par ye kaun sochta hai?

Ye kaun sochta hai?"

Written by: Vikas Dwivedi

        Volunteer- Team Manorath

contact.vikas.dwivedi@gmail.com

Make this world a fairer place!!

Children begging, children stealing,
children crying, children dying
needlessly due to poverty, hunger andeglect.
In a world where people live in million dollar homes
Why are these children digging out food and bones
to chew on, to feed their hunger, from rubbish bins?

'Really, Is that right?' just ask yourself
Do these beautiful souls have no right to live,
Just because their parents have no money to give
to educate them, and feed them, and to help them to grow
into fine young women and men that we would be proud to know.
If only someone fights for their Right to Live.

You and I can change each one of their fate
And bring joy and laughter and education to date.
Into the dreary and harsh lives of these little angels,
By signing petitions and singing jingles.
By waking up the Government and making them take action,
To ensure education, food & protection of their best interests, with a passion.

Lets all get together and give it all we've got
To change each little underpriviledged child's lot
Lets make this world a fairer place
So we can see each child's smiling face.
Enjoying the beautiful world around us
As we priviledged few do..................

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Written by Ritu Anand
Volunteer-Team Manorath
rituahoojaanand@gmail.com

Who will take care?

This is a photograph taken at the famous Canaught Place Market of New Delhi. The Prime question- who will take care of this child?
On whom lies the responsibility of this child.....Parents, Society, Government.....?
No one is coming ahead, and his eyes ask the same question again and again....
Do we have an answer?

Manorath in the eyes of Media-HT City

Manorath in the eyes of Media-The Times of India

Manorath in the eyes of Media-The Asian Edge

The Asian Edge covered the Manorath's Bal Natya Utsav on 18 Nov'08

Bal Natya Utsav Nov'08 - Dilli Haat

The 10th Bal Natya Utsav was organised at the Dilli Haat by Child Rights and You (CRY) in Nov'08. This street theatre festival is organised every year to spread awareness among people about child rights.

Various drama groups voiced their opinions through plays on issues like girl education,child labour, health and child trafficking.

A street play was also conducted by Manorath volunteers. It was an eye openerfor many people who liked the theme and concept of right to education for children.

Group photo of Manorath volunteers who participated in the street play

Such street plays provide an open forum where any child can express his/her opinion about issues impacting them. Street plays help spreading awareness among people.

Manorath volunteers plan to conduct such street plays at different public places to generate awareness regarding right to education and child rights among common people.

CHILD RIGHTS SONG

मेरा भी तो अधिकार है
मेरा भी तो अधिकार है
मेरा भी तो अधिकार है
सूरज की रौशनी पर
ज़िन्दगी की हर खुशी पर
मुस्कान पर, हंसी पर
दुनिया पर, जिन्दगी पर
मेरा भी तो अधिकार है
मेरा भी तो अधिकार है

बच्चें ही तो
बच्चें ही तो मुल्क की तक्दीर है
आने वाले दौर की तस्वीर है
बच्चें ही तो
बच्चें ही तो मुल्क की तक्दीर है
आने वाले दौर की तस्वीर है
स्कूल के सब रस्तो पर
कापी किताब बस्तो पर
क्लास रूम टीचर पर
ब्लेक बोर्ड पर हर अक्षर पर
मेरा भी तो अधिकार है
मेरा भी तो अधिकार है

कितने मासुम कितने भोले है
इन्के जैसा ना कोई दुजा है
कितने मासुम कितने भोले है
इन्के जैसा कोई ना दुजा है
इन्के जीवन मे रोशनी लाना
इक इबादत है, इक पूजा है
तयोंहारों पर मेलो पर
मैदानो पर खेलो पर
फूट्बाल पर क्रिकेट पर
चाँक्लटे पर और बिस्कुट पर
मेरा भी तो अधिकार है
मेरा भी तो अधिकार है

एक सुफी
एक सुफी
एक सुफी... ये सब से कह्ता है
कह्ता है
छूप कर बच्चों मे खुदा रह्ता है
छूप कर बच्चों मे खुदा रह्ता है
खुदा रह्ता है.....
ऊत्तना ही प्यार पायोगे जीत्तना भी प्यार दो
वोओओ वोओओओओओ.........
ऊत्तना ही प्यार पायोगे जीत्तना भी प्यार दो
इन्को जीने का अधिकार है
इन्को जीने का अधिकार दो
इन्को जीने का अधिकार दो
इन्को जीने का अधिकार दो