25 schools form panel to raise awareness on child rights

Destitute kids share their experience at an interaction programme

Children from Ranipura School while highlighting rights of children through a song and dance, at Prajna Counselling centre as a part of its programme on “Prajna’s step towards women and child empowerment,” said that 25 schools in Mangalore and Bantwal have formed a committee to raise awareness on child rights.

The committee meets and discusses on activities to increase awareness. The problems faced by the children in their schools are brought to the notice of the Gram Panchayat President, said the kids.

The event is aimed at creating awareness through songs, dance, skits and street-plays about child rights. It was a part of the activities conducted by Prajna’s Empowerment and Participation of Women and Children Projects. Explaining computer training programme imparted at the Centre, co-ordinator Geetha Pandith said that the destitute poor kids and unemployed women are imparted training in animation. For a cartoon story which she has written entitled ‘Druthi and Drutali,’ destitute Mubeena has drawn illustrations.

Elaborating Mubeena’s experience, she said that she wanted to pursue her studies after fourth standard. However, owing to poverty, her mother pushed her to work in a house. I was ill treated by the employees in Chikkamagaluru. Later, I came to Mangalore to work in a house, from where I escaped and landed in Prajna centre. Looking at my drawings, Geetha madam taught me animation, illustrations using computer.”

Beneficiary of CFI programme, Pathunhi said, “we women spend majority of our time sitting inside four walls of the house. After I became member of SHG, I started saving money and preparing phenol, soaps and pearl necklaces and imitation jewellery. With the money I earned, I was strong enough to educate my daughter who is a lawyer now. My grand daughter is pursuing MBBS.”

Chinnara Tangudhama, an initiative of SSA and Prajna Counselling Centre,  teacher Veena said that 270 kids were enrolled to the Thangudhama. At present, 30 kids are pursuing their studies. A total of 177 students have already been brought to the mainstream schools through Thangudhama.

Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim said that NGOs play a pivotal role in implementing various welfare schemes of the government. The Prajna Counselling centre should spread its wings and open its centre in other districts. The district administration will provide all the helping hand to the activities of the Prajna counselling centre.
Senior civil judge Ganesh B also spoke.