Children on the Edge
  • DONATE
  • WHO WE ARE
    • A Child Rights Approach
    • Meet the team
    • Contact Us
    • Media
  • WHAT WE DO
    • Bangladesh: Education for Rohingya refugee children
    • India: Education for 'untouchable' Dalit children
    • Uganda: Transforming slum communities
    • Uganda: Early Years Education for Congolese refugee children
    • Kachin State Myanmar: Support for displaced children
    • Bangladesh: Community Schools for slum dwelling children
    • Lebanon: Education for Syrian refugee children
    • India-Nepal border: Education for children in brothel communities
  • SUPPORT US
    • Receive our news updates
    • Trusts & Foundations
    • Fundraise for us
    • Take on a challenge >
      • 12,000 Steps Virtual Event
      • London Marathon
      • Brighton Marathon
      • Ride London >
        • Ride London Application Form
      • Chichester Half Marathon Event
      • Great South Run
    • Organise an Event
    • Fundraise at Work
    • Clubs & Faith Groups
    • Schools
    • Volunteer
    • Shop
  • Latest stories




​
​LATEST STORIES

DONATE

A great start for Children’s Parliaments in Patna

20/1/2019

 
Picture
BECOME A DONOR
Despite the caste system being outlawed, Dalit children in India are shunned by society and suffer from exclusion, discrimination and exploitation. Through 30 Learning Centres, Children on the Edge are supporting these children to break the cycle of caste discrimination.

An important part of this education is helping children understand their rights. This is not only reflected in the curriculum, but recently through the establishment of ten ‘Children’s Parliaments’, where children learn about their rights and responsibilities, develop leadership, and learn the political system and election process of their country.

175 children have been elected from different Centres as ‘Ministers’ and from the Ministers, ‘Cabinet Ministers’ were elected. Project Leader Veena says “Children made their own election manifestos and convinced other children to vote for them. They are very regular for the meetings and everyone wants to be a minister!”.

The Children’s Parliaments hold sharing meetings with local-government officials, leaders and prominent personalities. Veena describes how  “They boldly interacted with local leaders, asked questions and shared their difficulties. Their self confidence has increased and they are taking a leadership role in the Centres. They are becoming aware of the duties of citizens".

Their growing role as citizens has already been reflected through a campaign to raise awareness about the need to create a cleaner community and improve the health and hygiene in their local area and in the Centres.

​Along with other children and staff members, they swept and cleaned the streets and roads of the village (see photo below), and collected waste, which was transferred to Government Garbage Collection Vehicles. They also participated in the rally, coming up with slogans, and displaying placards related to the benefits of cleanliness and hygiene.

​
Avi Karan, Project Officer says “The children exemplified leadership qualities by being the change agents of their communities.  The local community appreciated the children’s initiative and pledged to keep their homes, surroundings and public places clean”.
Picture
Picture
The sign reads 'Mummy and Papa are now determined to get their children immunised for MR (Measles and Rubella).
This week, more than 110 children from the Learning Centres and local communities participated in an ‘Immunisation Drive’, which was a campaign to fight Measles and Rubella.  The Ministers from the Children’s Parliament took responsibility for spreading awareness as campaigners. They went to the villagers and spoke about the disease and its complications, and talked about the benefit of MR immunisation.

Avi says “While campaigning in the communities, a lot of children and some parents also got interested and joined the rally. The children went to every corner of the village to make parents aware of the deadly Measles and Rubella viruses and the infections caused to children”.

The Parliaments have had a great impact in a relatively short time. Veena describes how “ I noticed that children learned very fast about election manifestos, campaigns and the process, as well as voting, counting and announcing results. They have learned quickly about the duties of different ministries because they have to practice these duties in their roles.

The children have loved being part of the Parliament, with Veena telling how “Recently our neighbour had a party, and was planning to feed 50 children. Some of those invited were in the Children’s Parliament and they had a training meeting on at the same time. Even though they are poor and had a chance for some food, they chose to come to the meeting instead!”

​
Find out more about the work we support in India and consider donating to grow the project.
FIND OUT MORE
MAKE A DONATION

Comments are closed.
    SIGN UP
    ​FOR OUR
    ​E-UPDATES

    Categories

    All
    Ambassadors
    Bangladesh
    Burma/Myanmar
    Chichester
    Chichester Half Marathon
    Child Participation
    Child Sacrifice
    Early Childhood Development
    Fundraising
    General
    History
    Hope
    India
    Kachin
    Kyaka II Uganda
    Lebanon
    Refugees
    Rohingya
    Schools
    The Body Shop At Home
    #ThrowbackThursday
    Uganda
    UK
    Volunteer

    Archives

    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011



    RSS Feed

How we help

Protecting Child Rights
Current Projects
Our History
Annual Report 

Get Involved

Regular Giving
Fundraise for us
Take on a Challenge
Corporate Partners
Volunteering
Grant Giving Organisations

News

Latest News
​Receive our news updates
Media

DONATE

How we spend your money
Donate now

More

Jobs
Contact Us
Resources
Chichester Half Marathon

Shop

Meet the team
​Privacy Policy
Accessibility
Logo which says 'Registered with Fundraising Regulator'

Registered charity no. 1101441
REGISTERED COMPANY No. 4996130 

​Children on the Edge, 5 The Victoria, 25 St Pancras, Chichester,  West Sussex, PO19 7LT, UK.
  • DONATE
  • WHO WE ARE
    • A Child Rights Approach
    • Meet the team
    • Contact Us
    • Media
  • WHAT WE DO
    • Bangladesh: Education for Rohingya refugee children
    • India: Education for 'untouchable' Dalit children
    • Uganda: Transforming slum communities
    • Uganda: Early Years Education for Congolese refugee children
    • Kachin State Myanmar: Support for displaced children
    • Bangladesh: Community Schools for slum dwelling children
    • Lebanon: Education for Syrian refugee children
    • India-Nepal border: Education for children in brothel communities
  • SUPPORT US
    • Receive our news updates
    • Trusts & Foundations
    • Fundraise for us
    • Take on a challenge >
      • 12,000 Steps Virtual Event
      • London Marathon
      • Brighton Marathon
      • Ride London >
        • Ride London Application Form
      • Chichester Half Marathon Event
      • Great South Run
    • Organise an Event
    • Fundraise at Work
    • Clubs & Faith Groups
    • Schools
    • Volunteer
    • Shop
  • Latest stories