Transform the Lives of Children in Gujarat, India

The preceding months were eventful for the Balsena children. Along with the regular point activities camps, Internationa Day of Play, the national webinar made these months occupied and colorful for the children.

VACATION CAMP

During May and June, children were effectively engaged in various activities during their vacation. Generally, the activities included field games and mind games, Arts and crafts (drawing, splash painting, vase making, photo frame creation), Embroidery and fabric crafts, Sign language lessons and preparation for performances (plays, songs, dances, mime acts, patriotic songs) On June 9th,2024, the culmination ceremony of Vacation camp was held at Dolat Anant Vatia with 175 children (61 boys, 114 girls) from 14 areas. They showcased various performances and skills developed during the camp. It was encouraging to see the event managed by older Balsena children with Nidhi (an active child from Indiranagar area) taking the lead

CHILD LABOUR SURVEY

During the vacation time, a child labor survey was conducted in 14 areas with the help of active children and Shaishav facilitators. They identified 135 child laborers (68 boys, 67 girls) Of them 72 children engaged solely in work and 63 children combined work and their studies. Anti-Child Labor Day Celebration: In the backdrop of the evidence collected during the survey children raised awareness through slogans and street performances. Skits were performed to educate community members about the harmful effects of child labor. Newsletters were also made with the recent data to communicate to elders in the community.

COUNCIL MEETING

The monthly council meeting was held with 47 child representatives (27 boys, 20 girls). Major discussions comprised of activity planning and challenges, preparation for holiday camp and sports day, review of children's newsletters. The new Shaishav joiners who will be working on the Balsena project were also introduced in the meeting. LEADERSHIP CAMP The leadership was held on May 19-21 at a hostel at Vidyanagar for people who can’t hear and speak. 44 children (17 boys, 27 girls) participated in this three-day residential camp. Activities focused on leadership, teamwork, and organizational skills. Children created an annual plan for Balsena activities

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PLAY CELEBRATION (IDOP)

In a landmark decision aimed at promoting the fundamental rights of children worldwide, the United Nations General Assembly has unanimously adopted a resolution designating June 11th as the International Day of Play. Shaishav always promotes and innovates through non-competitive, non volent and Cooperative games that supports inclusivity, tolerance and respect towards one another. Balsena has existed for and is led by the children of urban slum communities of Bhavnagar city for the past 21 years. Through this platform, children voice their concerns and demands. Along with this, we also tried to reach children who get less opportunity to play. We went to Tapibai Vikas (Child Care Institute) and a Children's Home at Fulsar region. This event had 55 participants.

BALSENA CHILDREN FACILITATE A GLOBAL WEBINAR:

A  Webinar on the theme of IDOP was organized on this day. Eleven Balsena and Tarun Sena members shared their real time experience with play and how it has led to changes in their personal development. Some even shared how through play they leveraged change in their community. Balsena children who have been part of this process and now turned adults hosted and managed this interactive webinar. This webinar was hosted by CWC- Concerned for working Children organization, who lead the first children collective of India. It was attended by NGOs all around India, children representing their collectives, parents, teachers and others. NGOs who have successfully employed play as a tool to bring children together and that can lead to their holistic development. More than 250 people attended this webinar.

One of the Balsena members shared that she liked the game "spider web". The game made her realise that when one member of the community is affected, it affects all the members. Because during the spider web activity, if any child moved the whole web was pulled and the whole web was affected. This made her understand the power of collective strength and it is always better to be together in the collective.”

POINT ACTIVITIES

Weekly meetings were conducted at 14 points across the region. 316 children (145 boys, 171 girls). Primarily activities were team building exercises, Board games (Navbindu, Monkey Run, Chatur Ka Chhodo), Mechanical games (building cars, helicopters), Clock-making using waste materials and One-minute challenges (triple jump, lemon-spoon, book balance). The exercises focused on developing critical thinking, creativity, and time management skills.

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS

Increased awareness about child labor in the community Enhanced leadership and teamwork skills among Balsena members Successful celebration of the first International Sports Day Strengthened connections with other child-focused organizations nationally and internationally

WAY FORWARD

Following up on the child labor survey findings is one of the major priorities this year. Along with this is the effective implementation of the annual plan developed during the leadership camp. Strengthening partnerships with other organizations and government bodies is also on pipeline.