Soaring high on the wings of dreams

Don Bosco Child Labour Mission (DBCLM) Davangere conducted a two-day training for the leaders of Child Rights Clubs (CRC) on 14 and 15 October 2019. The training was inaugurated by Mr. Mahanthesh Belagi, DC, Davangere. A total of 36 young and energetic club leaders from Honnuru, Gopanalu, Kuntapalanahalli, Kadajji, Mayakonda, Rampura, Batlakatte, Kaidalu and Anaji villages of Davangere district participated in the training. While addressing the children Mr. Mahanthesh outlined the role of teachers and parents in safeguarding the rights of children and more specifically, inspired the children to dream big, motivating them to strive for their goals in life effectively. He also motivated the children to take up risks and challenges in their daily life, which in turn, can mould them into emotionally strong and responsible citizens. Mr. Mahanthesh  counselled the importance of enjoying childhood days by maintaining an equilibrium among studies, routine activities, games and extracurricular activities; thereby constructing a better goal-oriented future. Mr. Mahanthesh encouraged the children to use the helpline number (1098) in distress situations and to inform the adults for support whenever their rights are violated. Ms. Shailaja Basavaraj, President, Zilla Panchayat, spoke at the inaugural session, highlighting the importance of education in eradicating inequalities in society and the duty of the elders and the government in addressing the grievances and rights violations of children. After the inaugural function, a copy of the BREADS module on child rights and the handbook on child rights clubs,  endorsed by the DSERT, Department of Education, Karnataka, UNICEF, KSCPCR and Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), were presented to the honourable DC. Children requested the honourable DC to recommend that the district administration to promote the modules in all the schools as part of the curriculum with the social science teacher being in charge of it.  The other dignitaries present on the occasion were Fr. Cyril Sagayaraj- Director, DBCLM and Member, Child Welfare Committee, Davangere; Fr. Jose- Administrator, DBCLM; Fr. Vivek- Director, Sujyothi, child labourer’s rehabilitation programme; Ms. Ushakumari S.- Block Education Officer, Davanagere North; Mr. Surendra Naik B.- Block Resource Centre, Davangere North; Mr. Erappa- Block Resource Person, Jagaluru taluk; Mr. Y. Ramanaik- Chairperson, CWC Davangere; Ms.  Karibasamma- Vice President, district level CRC network and Master Manoj- Member, district level CRC network, Davangere. Over the two days of training, the club leaders were introduced to the following topics- leadership qualities, the concept of child rights clubs, formation of CRCs in the schools, child rights and human rights from the children’s point of view, steps to be followed during the club meeting, advocacy actions by children and the government schemes available for children. Children enjoyed the two-day programme, learning concepts, action songs, party games etc. At the end of the training, the following deliberations were made by the CRC leaders: to conduct the CRC district-level network meeting during the child rights week and to write letters to the gram panchayats and Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR) to conduct the special gram sabha for children in the month of November in all the gram panchayats.