'Child scribes' showcase stories they want to tell world

The event themed "My life is a story" organised by World Vision India, a non-governmental organisation has participation of children from underprivileged backgrounds from seven cities who share findings of surveys they undertook in their communities and narrate their stories.

The four-day event will witness a total of 36 'child scribes' presenting data collected from 200 children for a social audit on the issue that they felt most strongly about, their likes and their dislikes.

Short films, skits, a photo exhibition, theatre and other interactive sessions are the different mediums through which the children will present the viewpoints on their family, school, friends and communities, according to organisers.

"We reached out to children in cities of Delhi, Jaipur, Goa, Bangalore, Chennai, Malda and Kolkata and selected a total of 100 depending on how they responded to activities undertaken," said Jayakumar Christian, national director, World Vision India.

In Delhi he says children from Madanpur Khadar in south Delhi and Gautampuri in east Delhi were approached.

The summit that will be held at Alliance Francaise and at Dilli Haat here, is scheduled to conclude on November 14, Children's Day.

The films have been scripted, shot and directed by children themselves, say organisers of the summit.

In a survey conducted by the Goa group on 172 children revealed that 44 per cent of them did not know about child rights.    Similarly, the Karnataka group said that 77 per cent of their target group did not share problems with parents.

14-year old Shanthi, a ninth grader from a Chennai slum, said she wanted to be a part of the summit as she got an opportunity she otherwise might not have got.

"I came to know through my friends that there is an activity going on in the slums through which we can voice our feelings about our rights. I am happy that I became involved in the activity," she said.

Prior to the summit, the 'child journalists' had held presentations in their own towns and cities where they presented their works to community members, parents, community leaders and others.

"Plans to involve more children in similar activities are there. We have a presence in a lot of smaller cities as well", added.