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

CRY Volunteers Make Inroads to MNNIT Community

Year 2012 marks another expansion of CRY North India volunteers in college community. Earlier this year, on 13th Feb 2012, we reached out to community in and around IIT Roorkee through foundation of CRY IIT Roorkee Chapter.
Here is link to webpage for the recently formed CRY MNNIT Chapter.
Here follows a very nice poem composed by a volunteer at CRY MNNIT Chapter:

Na jane kaise aaj raaste badal gaye,

anjaan raah par hum dur tak nikal gaye,

vo galiyaan jahan maasum si shararatein basti hain,

dukaan aisi jahan muskurahatein sabse sasti hain,

bhatakte huye aaj aisi galiyon se guzar gaye.

BBC News: Photographs Exhibited During GCE Campaign

BBC News shares here the photographs exhibited by CRY and Nazar Foundation during photo-exhibition for Girl Child Education Campaign 2012. The exhibition was held at Ambience Mall, Vasant Kunj, on 6th and 7th Oct 2012 and at India Habitat Center from 8th Oct 2012 to 15th Oct 2012.

Newspapers Talking About Our First Photo-exhibition for GCE Campaign 2012, Held at Ambience Mall, Vasant Kunj on 6th and 7th Oct 2012

Deccan Herald - Metrolife, 6th Oct 2012, Pg. 2

Online version available here

Newspapers Talking About Results of Knowledge, Attitude and Practices Study Done for Girl Child Education Campaign 2012

The Indian Express- Expressline, 4th Oct. 2012, Pg. 2

Times of India, 4th Oct. 2012, Pg. 4

Dainik Jagran, 4th Oct. 2012, Pg. 1

The Hindu, 4th Oct. 2012, Pg. 4

Deccan Herald, 4th Oct. 2012, Pg. 4

Dainik Jagran City, 16th Sept. 2012, Pg. 5

      Links to Online News 

• APN News                                                        
• Live Mint                                       
• Yahoo News
• Sify News              
• India Talkies                                
• India Online News
• Two Circles 
• Times of India

Report of KAP Study for GCE Campaign 2012

A rapid assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) on prevalence of barriers to girl child education among lower income groups of the society was done by Research Team and Volunteer Action Group at CRY. Here are presentation for press conference and report for the same.