Bengaluru, November 12, 2016: CRY volunteers in Bengaluru, joined to celebrate children's day across the nation by organizing a walk to engage with the community and raise awareness on child rights. The community walk involved students and teachers from the Government Primary and High School, Yeshwantpur, along with CRY volunteers and employees.
Around 250 students from the school participated in the walk. The students and volunteers engaged with parents of children and community leaders raising awareness on children's issues and also addressing queries regarding education and other child related schemes. The walk culminated at the school and was followed by an event.
The children were addressed by Ms. Kripa Alva, KSCPCR Chairman (Karnataka State Commission for Protection for Child Rights), Dr. C.N. Ashwath Narayan, Malleshwaram Constituency MLA, Mr. N. Mariswamy, KSCPCR Member, Mr. Abdul Wajid Khaji, Deputy Director of Public Instruction (DDPI) and, Mr. Basavaraja Gowda, Block Education Officer (BEO) North.
Suma Ravi, Regional Director CRY emphasized on the volunteer support and said, "It is the relentless passion of the volunteers towards the cause of children that drives them to organize these events to mobilize communities, spread awareness and even raise resources. We have witnessed the impact of their involvement over the years of working in our PAG (Public Action Group) areas with communities as well as schools. More children are out of labour and re-enrolled in schools, and they are equipped to stand up for their rights."
"KSCPCR has been a constant support in our aim to ensure happy healthy childhoods. We are happy to have had our volunteers involved in their enrolment drives providing them unique opportunity to work for children's issues. We also would like to whole heartedly thank the management and students of Government Primary and High School Yeshwantpur for supporting our efforts and being an integral part of this initiative", she added.
The event was organized at this school by CRY to emphasize the importance of government schools, since they are the backbone of India's education system, especially for underprivileged students. The commitment of the school's HMs - Ms. Dakshayani (High School HM) and Ms. Lalitha (HM -Primary school) towards welcoming any new initiative or programmes which benefits children was also commended.
Talking at the event, Ms. Kripa Alva, KSCPCR Chairman said, "We constantly strive to engage with people and communities to ensure children are not deprived of their basic rights and CRY and its volunteers have always provided valuable support in the path to achieving the common goals we envisage for our children. We look forward to many such collaborations."
The children also performed various cultural activities at the event, which included mime performance by CRY Volunteers and dance performances by the students of the school.
About CRY
CRY - Child Rights and You (formerly known as Child Relief and You) is an Indian NGO that believes in every child's right to a childhood - to live, to learn, grow and play. For over 30 years, CRY and its partners have worked with parents and communities to ensure Lasting Change in the lives of more than 20 Lakh underprivileged children. For more information please visit us at www.cry.org