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As
consciousness grows, the Bal Panchayat membership has matured into a strong
and capable force that works side-by-side with CASP/Plan to benefit the
community. Guided by their coordinators, the children have identified vital
concerns, which they tackle various ways:
Concluding
on their own that Birth Registration is a child's fundamental right
to an identity. Bal Panchayat member organized two massive rallies
attend by ove1,000 children. This was followed by a house-to-house
campaign to persuade parents to register their babies.
School Enrolment has been another manor issue of concern for the children
who have put their time and effort into visiting home in their neighborhood
to motivate residents to send their children to school. |
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Deeply moved by the sacrifices of heroes of Kargil, Bal Panchayat, members
on their own initiative took up a collection in their communities to help
raise money for the children orphaned by the war, which they donated to
the Army Welfare fund.
A tree Plantation drive was organized by the children in an ongoing effort
to improve their environment and reduce pollution levels around their neighborhoods.
The Bal Panchayat has been active in the campaign against plastic bags,
as a garbage disposal and sanitation. The children also make paper bags
from old newspapers stamp them with a social message and sell them to raise
funds for their activities.
Bal Darpan
From the start, the children have been encouraged to speak out on issue
they hold close and their concerns have found a voice in Bal Darpan.
Bal Darpan began as a wall newspaper, but soon evolved into a colourful
quarterly magazine, produced entirely children. An editorial board elected
from among Bal Panchayat members is responsible fro every aspect of the
publication, from content to distribution.
Articles and illustrations are contributed by children and cover a range
of topics that they can relate to children's rights and responsibilities.
The magazine has a wide circulation and is read with interest, not only
by the children, but their families and communities as well.
Baldarpan (Annual English Edition 2001)
Page-1, Page-2,
Page-3, Page4,
Page5, Page6,
Page7, Page8,
Page9, Page10,
Page11, Page12
Bal
Darpan 2nd English Edition
Page-1, Page-2,
Page-3, Page-4,
Page-5, Page-6,
Page-7, Page-8,
Page-9, Page-10,
Page-11, Page-12
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THE
FACTS
Through
this center we have tried to collect information related to children,
women and other neglected section of our society from news clipping
from all over the country and compile them into on book "THE
FACTS". One of our other publications "Bal Darpan",
managed completelyby children of Bal Panchayat, in Hindi is currently
in circulation for the past 5 years.
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Child
Rights Information Centre (CRIC)
The Bal Panchayat has infused its members with a insatiable curiosity
about the world. Older children have pooled resource to subscribe to newspapers
and magazines from all over India in order to document and disseminate
information about children's rights and related policies.
The clipping from news items and features, scrupulously maintained by
them in the Child Rights Information Centre are compiled in a quarterly
report which is passed on to children's organizations and NGOs for Information
and postive action.
National
Convention on the Rights of the Child
The Bal Panchayat have already organized two Annual Conventions on Children's
Rights on a national level. At these conventions, children from all over
the country exchange views in order to identify and priorities child related
issues. The aim of these National Conventions has been to create a national
level children's forum.
Community Awareness
Advocacy at the level takes the form of neighborhood meetings and workshops
to sensitive parents and community to children's issue. The children use
puppetry, street plays and other forms of communication to get their point
across in a lively and entertaining manner.
Bal
Sabha
At the first generation of Bal Panchayat members grow up, they are ready
to pass the leadership skills they have acquired on to the next level.
With minimal help from CASP/Plan, they have currently assumed responsibility
of setting up Bal Sabhas in their neighborhoods and sensitizing on issues
related to children's rights.
Giving
Child Laborourers a Hand
Bal Panchyat members have recently initiated a project with children working
in roadside dhabas, many of whom are school drop - outs and face severe
abuse from their employers. A detailed study has been conducted to identify
children in need of help.
Bal
Panchayat members have set up counseling services on health issues such
as family life education and HIV - AIDS awareness and are currently looking
for support to provide vocations training for the working children
The
Linda Morse Bal Panchayat Trust
In March 2000, a delegation Congressmen from American President, Bill
Clinton's entourage met with Bal Panchayat members to discuss issues concerning
children. Ms Linda Morse, then Director USAID India accompanied the delegation
and was deeply touched by the children. She continue to encourage and
support them during her stay in India. On completion of her term in India
her colleagues and friends took up a collection for the Bal Panchayat
gift to Ms. Morse.
The funds have been placed by children in the Linda Morse Bal Panchayat
Trust, instituted in her honour, to promote educational activities for
the children. The children take decisions regarding the deployment of
these funds.
In the year 2001 - 2002, 10 needy children received assistance from the
Linda Morse Bal Panchayat Trust after conducting a detailed assessment
process.
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