CHILDLINE Se Dosti- National Campaign at Trivandrum

Whether it is the growth of a nation, a city or an individual, the seeds of its essence begin during childhood. Children’s week, which is celebrated from November 14th to 20th, was observed by Childline and its associates with the week-long national campaign, ‘Childline Se Dosti’.It aims to reach out to people from different walks of life to get to know CHILDLINE, begin to care about vulnerable children and initiate action towards change.It involves a range of events, activities across the country to generate a Million ‘Dosts’ for CHILDLINE and acquaint people with Child Rights and Protection.

On the 14th of November, in order to celebrate Children’s day, Thiruvananthapuram’s Childline collaborative agency organised an exhibition to impart awareness in Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station. The children cared for under Don Bosco Nivas Shelter Home along with its members conducted a rally to the rescue booth installed in the railway station. The celebration and activities were inaugurated by the Railway Deputy Station Manager (Commercial). While leaflets and pamphlets on childline were distributed to the passengers, Dosti bands were tied to the wrists of children by Mr. Mereena Emmanuel, who is the Project Coordinator of Childline.

A team led by Mr. Thampi, Mr. Ratheesh and conducted a class on ‘Substance Abuse’ in RKD school, Sasthamangalam where they presented a video on the theme and also conducted a quiz.  The Director of the Childline, Fr. Thomas PD took a class on parenting and issues faced by clientele at DEIC (District Early Intervention Center). In the evening, with Fort Police Station being deemed child-friendly, an exhibition was organised in the station and Dosti bands were distributed by the Mayor V K Prashant, Assistant Commissioner Jaya Dev and Fort Police Station Sub Inspector Shaji Mon.

On November 15th, Child rights Kalajatha was jointly organised at Kattakada by DCPU, BRC and Childline Trivandrum. The program began with different members of the organisations imparting their knowledge on issues faced by children and how they think a child must be guided and protected. When the elders concluded their speeches, the kids performed several cultural activities in an attempt to boost up the audience with their charm and energy.

The week long campaign included verities of activities to analyse and spread awareness among the crowd- quiz sessions, rally, street play on child abuse, awareness classes on child rights, campaign against child labour and a poster competition on the theme- environmental protection.