Create a Safe Space for Children and Youth

From 22^nd April to 26^th April, 2018 we had Mannar residential camp where children were exposed to activities related to Life skills. We had a participation of 58 children. All the children have actively participated and shared wonderful reflections.

Vacation camp happened from 8^th to 20^th May, 2018. This was around the theme of environment preservation and life skills. To make the best use of waste materials, children have used plastic to make banks, wall hangings and various containers to use in the kitchen. Other activities involved using their creativity to build complex origami houses. Film shows and Exposure visit to Museum and Auditorium were part of the vacation camp.

Nihar, one of the Balsena member said “Whatever Shaishav is doing is very important to us. My vacation time was properly utilized by learning about how to make different things with plastic and other used things. Whatever I have learnt here is very valuable for me and I would never forget them.”

Kusum, who is the president of Balsena Team said “I have seen children learning a lot by doing with their hands. A lot of skills have developed in the process. I have developed a new perspective towards environment and how to look at any object differently to use it in multiple ways.”

Wenlido training to improve the physical, mental and emotional capabilities of girl child happened in the month of May. 190 girls across different age groups participated in the one-day and two day trainings. Anjali who is a 10 year old girl said “This training is good. I know now, how to protect myself from getting beaten up from my mother.”Krishna who is a 13 year old girl said “I have learnt how to say “no” in any given situation and how to draw boundaries to protect myself.”

With the start of the new academic year, we have seen children coming to the one day training very enthusiastically. We had 2 Active and Council meetings in the month of June which was on “action plan” for this year.

One of highlight during this quarter was, Shaishav had celebrated its 25^th anniversary with Balsena children on April 27^th. Instead of blowing out candles on a cake, the children and staff chose to light a diya to signify their never ending hope that all children will have a safe and happy childhood.