International Volunteers Day (IVD) 2012

On IVD 2012, CRY Delhi Volunteers Group completed more than 4 years of its existence. The strong bond developed over the years between individual volunteers and CRY was easily noticeable from the enthusiasm and happiness with which CRY Volunteers and CRY Staff celebrated IVD 2012 together.

Here is how the event proceeded:

•  It all started with a motivational message to volunteers from Puja Marwaha, Chief Executive, CRY.
• The speech was followed by a wonderful theater performance named "A Day in Life of a CRY Volunteer" by CRY staff. The performance rightly captured the incredible significance that a CRY volunteer holds for his responsibilities at CRY.
• Moving ahead, children from CRY's Dakshinpuri PAG (Public Action Group) who traveled all along to celebrate IVD added fun to the celebration through their innocent and funny theater performances.
• The series of theater performances were followed by recitation of a wonderful self-written poem "Kagaj Pe Bana Hindustan" by a volunteer.
• Then followed the felicitation ceremony in which different partners, such as CRY IIT Roorkee Chapter, CRY MNNIT Chapter, etc, were appreciated for their significant contribution to CRY.
• Felicitation continued with appreciation of individual volunteers for finishing respective number of years with CRY.
• Felicitation was followed by cutting of cake by volunteers.
• Finally the celebration ended with lunch.

Overall, the day full of celebration was enjoyed so much by volunteers as well as staff that everyone counts it as one of the best events at CRY.

Images for IVD 2012

Volunteers' Experiences of IVD 2012:

"It was a very enriching experience to meet all the volunteers. They come from different walks of life but have been working together to achieve a common goal and get associated with this noble cause. U get to learn so much while interacting with them. I feel privileged to have become a member of this ever growing and ever jolly CRY family." ---- Sahil Joseph Singh, a CRY Volunteer

Child In You Campaign, 20th to 23rd Nov 2012

CRY has always stood for the cause of children; initially as an agent for relief of children and now as the champion for their rights. The motive behind "Child In You" campaign was to bring people face to face with their childhood, which they had long forgotten in their fast-paced lives. Throughout the event, the venue Delhi Haat seemed to have atmosphere of fun, learning and satisfaction. The event was organised for a period of 4 days and a number of attractions were present for the children in particular and people at large.

The first day started with the announcer reflecting about the need for protecting rights of children and the work that CRY has been doing in this regard. She highlighted the problems faced by children in our country and the need for bringing about a permanent transformation in the mindset of people for rising up for the rights of children, which CRY has been doing all along since its founding father, Mr Rippan Kapoor, took the first visionary steps in this regard. The day was marked by a number of performances by a number of groups of very enthusiastic children, who presented some very mesmerizing performances. They just took away everyone's heart with their flawless performances. In return, children were treated with a very amazing puppet show, which was performed by members of a NGO partner of CRY. Undoubtedly the main attraction of the day was the photo-booth, which provided people with an opportunity to show their support for CRY by getting their pictures clicked with various props prepared by CRY volunteers, which helped CRY to send out its intended message with ease. The excitement among the people was worth looking at. CRY made sure that these pictures are sent to them back in their mails as a mark of thanksgiving. People also had an opportunity to sign oaths regarding standing for the rights of children whenever they feel a child needs them. The motive was to make people sensitive towards the cause of children.

The second day was also as enjoyable as the first day and had people see with amazement what all children can do with a little support from people. Children again came up with some great performances and the kind of dedication they showed, inspired volunteers to work even harder for these little children. Also a balloon release event was organised and lttle children got a chance to show how high their dreams are and how high they wish to go.

Third day again was one with high voltage as the day marked the performance by the very famous, young and energetic Yoked Band, which set the stage on fire, attracting a huge crowd. The performance helped CRY in drawing attention of the crowd towards the idea behind the "Child In You" campaign. There was also an installation erected which had very beautiful wooden birds attatched which could fly when a chord attatched to bottom of each was pulled. Not just children, but grown up people also enjoyed playing with the birds. The installation reflected an idea behind the campaign, which was "giving wings to the desires of children".

The fourth day was more about showing what children are really capable of when they are shown how they could vent their creativity. Two young guys, who are supporting the cause same as that of CRY had helped a few little children to learn to sing songs and they had named their troupe comprising of the two guys with their lot of children they had taught as “Music Basti”. The best part of the performance was that the lyrics were written by the kids themselves and people were awestruck by the simple yet powerful message that the children were able to put forward through their song. There was also a dart board game organised which came with riders that if someone could hit the board perfectly, the person would get a prize otherwise would have to answer questions. People enjoyed this game a lot. Even the announcer was in full flow that day as she got a number of people on the stage and even made a few of them shake a leg with her. Some people even came on stage to share their crazy childhood memories.

Overall,it was a very pleasant experience for everyone who got chance to witness the campaign. All enjoyed to the fullest and and felt as if they relived their childhood for few days.

Authors: Faisal Javaid, Divyanshu