By Chandan Mohanty | Project Coordinator
Shaishav hosted a four-day training for 27 grassroots professionals from five states to promote experiential, play-based life skills education for children and youth. Shaishav participated in a national consultation in Madurai where children from 12 states explored constitutional rights and drafted their own child-specific constitution. Shaishav conducted a joyful two-day workshop with 50 children from slum communities, using games, stories, and craft to promote creativity and foundational learning. Children from across Gujarat gathered to discuss child protection issues, propose policy ideas, and creatively express their views through art, poetry, and performance. Kjetil, a child rights advocate from Norway, visited Shaishav’s programs to learn about participatory education and inspire children with global models of youth involvement. Visitors from ASED joined Shaishav in Dediyapada to witness hands-on learning through science demos, LEGO play, and child-led performances.
Training of Trainers on Life Skills
13th–16th May | 27 Participants | 14 Organisations | 5 States
Shaishav hosted a four-day Training of Trainers (ToT) on Life Skills, designed to equip grassroots professionals with the knowledge, tools, and methodologies to effectively facilitate life skills education with children and youth.
The training brought together 27 participants from 14 partner organizations across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra. Through a blend of theory, play, and personal reflection, participants gained a deeper understanding of life skills and how to teach them in an engaging, experiential manner.
Core Themes Covered:
Key Features of the Training:
Voices from the Life Skill Workshop
“This training has given me more resources and tools to make my sessions more engaging and effective. I now understand that I must first adopt these life skills personally—they will naturally reflect in my professional work.”
— Vijay, Community Activist, NISHTHA, Himachal Pradesh
“This participatory training made learning fun and meaningful. It’s not only going to help me in my professional journey, but also contribute significantly to my personal growth.”
— Jacintha, MIS, DEEDS, Karnataka
“I loved how life skills were grounded in real life through games, activities, and movie clips. They now feel real and tangible, rather than abstract ideas.”
— Moses, Project Manager, Rays of Life Foundation, Maharashtra
National Forum for Child Participation – 6th National Children’s Consultation
Held in May | Hosted by Sakthi Vidiyal, Madurai
Shaishav, a founding member of the National Forum for Child Participation, has been actively involved in promoting meaningful child participation at the national level since the forum’s inception. The first national consultation was held in 2008, bringing together children’s collectives from across India. Since then, Shaishav has played a key role in organizing and participating in multiple such consultations.
In May this year, the 6th National Children’s Consultation was held in Madurai, hosted by Sakthi Vidiyal. The event saw participation from 70 children, 23 organizations, and 12 states, creating a vibrant space for dialogue, creativity, and learning.
Highlights of the Consultation:
Shaishav was proud to have four children from Bal Sena participate in this national forum. Additionally, Parul Sheth from Shaishav served as co-facilitator, helping guide and enrich the learning experience for all participants.
Training Program with Koshish Milap
14th–15th April
Shaishav facilitated a two-day training workshop in partnership with Koshish Milap, engaging 50 children from slum-dwelling communities. The training was led by three Shaishav team members, with strong support from the Koshish Milap staff.
The program focused on joyful learning through interactive and creative methods. A variety of activities—including games, storytelling, cooperative play, drawing, and paper craft—were conducted to encourage participation, creativity, and basic educational concepts. For example, the paper craft sessions introduced children to shapes and spatial understanding in a hands-on, engaging way.
The overarching goal of the training was to create a fun, inclusive environment where learning felt natural and enjoyable. The approach helped build confidence, social skills, and curiosity among the children, making the experience both memorable and meaningful
Gujarat Bal Manch
3rd- 6th June
Shaishav, in collaboration with the Child Rights Collective Gujarat—a network it co-founded—organized the Gujarat Bal Manch, a state-level gathering of children and child rights collectives from across Gujarat. Held from 3rd to 6th June, the event brought together 75 participants, including 48 children, for reflection, learning, and advocacy.
This dynamic platform provided children with the opportunity to:
Children actively participated by:
Gujarat Bal Manch also served as a space for idea exchange, learning from diverse lived experiences, and forming meaningful connections among children and facilitators across the state. It continues to play a vital role in amplifying children’s voices in shaping policies that affect their lives.
Shaishav Partners with TFIx to Launch ‘Bal Dost’ Fellowship
Shaishav is proud to partner with TFIx, with Parulben from Shaishav being selected as a TFIx Social Entrepreneur. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in Shaishav’s vision to launch its own Fellowship program—the Bal Dost Fellowship—aimed at empowering young people to become dedicated allies and mentors to children.
As part of this partnership:
We are now excited to move into the next phase: co-creating a curriculum for both Bal Dost Fellows and children, with the aim of sparking a ripple effect of change across communities.
Visit of Kjetil from Rotary, Norway
14th–17th April | Bhavnagar & Dediyapada
Kjetil, a long-time advocate for child rights and a member of Rotary, Norway, visited Shaishav from 14th to 17th April to gain a deeper understanding of our approach to child participation and rights-based education.
During his visit to Bhavnagar and Dediyapada, Kjetil closely observed Shaishav’s work with children—particularly our play-based learning methods, child-led sessions, and participatory education practices. He engaged in meaningful interactions with the children, who were equally curious about his home country. Conversations ranged from life in Norway to how children there participate in governance and decision-making processes.
The children in Balsena were particularly inspired by Norway’s model of child participation and expressed interest in adapting similar principles within their own Bal Sena (Children’s Collective), especially in shaping decisions that directly affect them.
Kjetil observed sessions on child rights and emotional well-being, reviewed Shaishav’s training materials, and appreciated the depth and intent behind the resources. He shared that the main purpose of his visit was to understand how child participation is practically implemented on the ground—and found Shaishav’s model deeply insightful.
Notably, Kjetil is known for his extraordinary commitment to child rights. In a remarkable feat of advocacy, he once cycled from Norway to Bangalore to spread awareness about the rights of children around the world.
ASED Visit
6th March | Visitors: Sudha, Gilbert, and Ivana
On 6th March, Shaishav welcomed Sudha, Gilbert, and Ivana from ASED to Dediyapada for an immersive visit to observe and engage with our field activities The MMRC from Bhavnagar came to Dediyapada and all the activities were facilitated through the Mobile Bus.
The visitors participated in and observed a range of interactive sessions designed to spark curiosity and build essential skills among children. Highlights of the visit included:
The visit culminated in a lively stage performance by the children, showcasing their talents and confidence developed through Shaishav’s participatory approach.
The ASED team expressed appreciation for the children’s enthusiasm and the diverse, hands-on learning experiences being facilitated on the ground.
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