The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Children take pledge to protect their rights

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jul 03, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Children take pledge to protect their rights

R. M. Sujith

Students trained in personality development programmes

CHENNAI: Singing and dancing with a shine in their eyes, they look like other ordinary children. Seeing these faces aglow with happiness one can't but be amazed to learn that they are victims of tsunami who are attending the rehabilitation camp organised by World Vision India at Scripture Union campsite, Mahabalipuram.

The event was organised for the tsunami-affected children from the villages around Cuddalore and Chidambaram.

Andal Damodaran, president, Indian Council for Child Welfare, interacted with the children and educated them about child abuse and child rights.

Later, participants lighted candles and took a pledge that come what may they wont let their rights be encroached upon and strive to spread this message to other children.

"Children are usually ignorant of their rights. There is a right to survival and life, right to development, right to participation, right to protection against all abuses-physical, sexual and emotional" said Mrs. Damodaran. She said children were usually shy and could not confide freely when they were abused and hence awareness was necessary. "Every right has a corresponding duty and it has to be followed. Read newspapers and watch good programmes and gain knowledge. Encourage and inspire others", she said.

Haridas Caleb, Director, Children Mission India, said: "We have 214 kids from 5th to 12th standards and we divided them into groups age-wise. Each group was involved in interactive sessions with skits, puppet shows and games to make them aware of their rights and be ready to call for help the moment they perceive any kind of abuse." Students from 9th standard were also given training in personality development programmes, he added.

This was through developing good behaviour and positive thinking.

The children shared their experiences too. Vinodhini, a standard IX student said the camp helped her understand the right to education and disciplined life. Arul, a class eleven student realised his shortcomings and vowed to correct them and be an example for others to follow.

Children are the focus of World Vision's work which builds capacity and empowers families and communities around the children to provide wholesome life filled with hope, dignity, justice and peace.

It also responds to major disasters around the country to provide much needed relief and rehabilitation and responds to issues that children in extremely difficult situations face such as child labour, bonded labour, female infanticide, HIV/AIDS and exploitation.

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