Taluk Level Child Rights Club Convention 2019
Don Bosco Child Labour Mission (DBCLM), Davangere along with BREADS,
Bangalore and Department of Education, Jagalur organized a taluk level Child Rights
Club Convention on December 27, 2019, under the leadership of community for the
Eradication of Child Labour in Jagalur Project staff at Gurubhavan in Jagalur Taluk.
The programme started with a rally against child sexual abuse by 200 children from
15 schools. The rally was inaugurated by Fr. Cyril Sagayaraj (Member, Child Welfare
Committee, Davangere and Director, DBCLM, Davangere) and Mr. Anjinappa
(Headmaster, GHPS, Marienahalli). The rally went around KEB Circle, Private Bus
Stand Road and reached back Gurubhavan.
The rally was followed by a public programme. The programme started with a prayer
dance by Don Bosco Open Shelter Children. The stage programme was inaugurated
by Mr. Manjappa D (Education Officer, Jagalur Taluk), Fr. Cyril and all the other
honorable Guests by lighting the lamp. Mr. Durugappa (Coordinator of the project),
welcomed all the guests and participants. Key note address was given by Mr.
Manjappa B (Coordinator, CREAM Project). In his talk he mentioned how bad he felt
about the violation of child rights and he emphasized the importance of child rights
clubs in such scenario. DBCLM has been working in the field of child rights for the
last 23 years and keeps reminding the Community to give respect to children’s
opinion. Few bodies like Makkala Gramasabha, Children’s Parliament and Child
Friendly Panchayat are also a great help in addressing these issues. He also
commented on the childhood of Malala Usafzai and how she raised her voice for
girls and their education in Pakistan.
Mr. Ashok (Social Welfare Officer, Jagalur) spoke about the importance of education
and advised children to work hard to achieve their dreams. He was followed by Mr.
Manjappa D (ECO, Jagalur). He expressed his happiness for organizing this
programme in Jagalur taluk and he extended his regards to MEENA group and to the
education department for giving all support to DBCLM and Childline. During his
interaction with children, a few problems like lack of sufficient class rooms, lack of
teachers, lack of drinking water, lack of toilet rooms were presented by children from
different schools. Mr. Manjappa and Ms. Gayathri (PDO, Gurusiddapura) assured
the children that their problems will be solved at the earliest. Then there was an oath
taking ceremony lead by Mr. Manjunath D (Childline Team Member) in which all
those who were present pledged to do everything possible to safeguard children and
their rights.
Two people, Mr. TP Obanaik (Head Master, GHPS School Rastemachikere) and Ms.
Gayathri (PDO, Gurusiddapura Gram Panchayat), who were very supportive in the
implementation of child friendly policies were also honoured for their contribution. In
their reply both of them expressed their joy and gratitude for being honoured by
DBCLM and pledged their continued support.
The other dignitaries on the dais too enlightened the participants by sharing their
experience and expertise. Fr. William Miranda (Director, Prerana, Jagalur)
introduced his institution Prerana to the children and asked them to approach
Prerana in case of any emergency or to share any problems they are suffering from.
He promised them immediate help. Mr. Aravindan (Former member, Child Welfare
Committee, Davangere) talked about child marriage, Devadasi system, child labour
issues prevailing in Jagalur and difference between problems faced by Government
school and Private school. He also talked on safe and unsafe touch. Along with it he
added a note of appreciation to Fr. Cyril’s work and his concern for vulnerable
children. Master Sanjeev (Representative, Child Rights Clubs Members) brought
forth the problems faced by children, their rights and the education system in India.
Ms. Shanthamma (Supervisor, Child Development Office, Jagalur) talked about child
marriages in Jagalur taluk. She asked the children to contact CDPO in Jagalur in
case they face any problems and assured to sort it out for them. Mr. MC Rajappa
(Head Constable, Jagalur Police Station) gave some legal advice to children and
asked them to call in 100 if they face any problems and also asked them to take
information and photos of the accused if possible and later send it to police station.
Fr. Cyril Sagayaraj (Director, DBCLM, Davangere) spoke of many issues like child
marriage, child labour, school dropouts, etc. found in Jagalur. He reminded all that
without the support of local community and its leaders no one can do anything much
in fighting these social evils. He appreciated the efforts made by the DBCLM staff
and community workers placed at different village tuition centers in this regard.
Ms. Karibasamma (President, District Child Rights Network, Davangere) expressed
her sadness that children from 15 schools are participating but only four of them
expressed their concerns to the concerned Departments. She talked about some
superstitious believes like solar eclipse and how it prevents children from attending
their classes. She talked about partiality shown by the politicians to the students of
government and private schools. The programme ended with vote of thanks by Mr.
Srinivas (Social Activist, Empowerment Community for Child Labour Eradication in
Jagalur Project).
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