Event : Design for Change

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Organisation : Make A Difference (MAD), NGO.

PROJECT : COME! LETS HAVE A BETTER LIFE.

OUR TEAM

ANAND CHINNI UDAY ABHISHAKE SANDEEP

INTRODUCTION :

Who says that the youth today are useless? We say they are used less. These fragile little hands were out there to prove the very same thing, and in a very big way. Lets first give you a taste of Anand, Chinni, Uday, Abhishek and Sandeep’slife.

These kids live in a Center called Aman Vedika Rainbow Homes and go to a nearby residential school. They come back and do their part of the reading and the chores of the home and play those boyish little games we all once played. But little did I know that their minds could think so deep and the shallowness of the world still hasn’t taken a toll on them

When we introduced the concept of Design For Change, they came up with amazing ideas. And one was their concern for the other homeless and abandoned children

Nikitha Reddy

Center Head Make A difference Organization

What we FEEL?

When our teacher asked us to come up with certain problems which troubles people in their daily life, we came up with issues like pollution, water borne diseases, orphans, child labour, casteism, child abuse and bad habits.

We realized that orphans and child labour relate a lot to us as we understand the sufferings of those people very well.

IMAGINE:

We need not imagine. We know, We feel and We also can understand the pain of each and every child who is on a street or a railway station working each and every day for their livelihood as we came from very similar conditions.

Its Time to Take Initiative

It was time for us to not just lay back and turn over our heads to the things which can be changed for better. Most of us rather wait for others to take the initiative but never wanted to know that the other lies within himself. We decided to search around the busiest places in the city. where we can find the children in dire strait conditions.

We moved towards the railway stations, bus stands, junctions to convince the street kids by presenting ourselves as examples, showing them the pictures of the life that we never expected but always hoped for. We want to make them understand how important is education in life and what better place than an orphanage where they can get shelter, clothes, food and most importantly education.

“An idea is worthless unless you use it."

Do - DAY - 1 Places Covered:Secnderabad Railway Station

Heeding the advice of our teachers, We started off the journey gazing around the railway station. The place was immensely crowded, which confused us on where to search and whom to ask.

Half an hour later, As we looked on at the platform, We found two kids moving around with a bag . As we started to converse with them, We found out that the kids Irshad(12yrs) and Baiju (13yrs) were orphans and were here from Kolkata. They used to pick up plastic bottles and sell those for their survival. We then told them how BETTER their LIFE would be if they will to join an orphanage where they will be given all comfort and sated with needs which they always wished for.

We were able to convince them and then got them admitted to Don Bosco.

Do Day - 2 We tried our best to convince who we found. Some joined us and some never wanted to be part of BETTER LIFE.

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Do Day - 2 Patny Centre Area Around Sec’bad Station Passport Office

New day with all new excitement! As we were able to find and convince two kids yesterday, We now predetermined ourselves that we are ought to get more and more kids for BETTER LIFE.

We started to look around places but just when we thought that it ain’t going to be like yesterday, We found 2 kids i.e., Anitha (11 yrs) and Sunil(14 yrs). When asked the reason for being here, The girl came up with a shocking one- She ran from her home because her parents were dragging her into child marriage. We managed to convince the kids and promised that they would be save if they will to join us and so they did.

Do DAY-3

Due to festive day, We decided to stay back at the Centre and plan for the coming days. Our teacher asked us to prepare some posters regarding child labour. She asked us to

include the following points in a poster:

• What is child labour?• What is wrong with child labour?• Why should we go to school?• How is education important in life?

Do Day - 4 Jubilee Bus Stand Secunderabad Station

The festive day gap didn’t let our spirits go down. It seemed to get higher and better with time. As its said, When one’s intention are pure , every thing seems to actuate on the right path. We were moving along with our teachers, We soon found 2 kids Swamy and Ashok. These kids were fed up with their life as they were forced to work mercilessly. When we explained them about the BETTER LIFE and better future, they joined us without a second thought.

Do DAY-5: Gandhi Hospital RTC ‘X’ Roads Kacheguda Station Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station

We started off our day’s mission along with our teachers and mentor. As planned, just when we were nearing Gandhi Hospital. We found an 8 year old kid begging at the traffic signal. Our team got down from the jeep and moved towards the busy junction. When asked the reason for begging- He politely said, I beg because I want to eat food.We convinced him for BETTER LIFE and he joined happily.

It was now time to go to Kacheguda Station, Here we found a boy sitting lonely at the platform no 7. His name was Mallikarjun. When asked the reason for being here, He said his father used to physically torture him. I wonder why? Because out of all the kids we found, This is the most sincere one, who is very polite and understanding. Anyways he wanted to live a BETTER LIFE and joined us .

Do Day 6: Secunderabad Railway Station

As we had covered the most part of the city. It was time to go back to the Secunderabad Railway Station where the percentage of finding the kids was very high. Slowly and steadily we were able to find kids and soon the number rose up to 5.

First we found Sivakumar (12 yrs old) followed by Chandu (8 yrs old), Rana Pratap Singh(12yrs old), Abhishek (11 yrs) and a girl (4 yrs old).

All days were memorable but this day was better as we ended the event in a progressive manner. It was just the end of implementation week but not to the initiative that we had taken. We crave for more and we believe in BETTER . Its time to stand with us.

THE CHANGE” Be the one to take initiative , but not just hope for others to let it”

In these 5 days, by just spending 2-3 hours a day we managed to convince 14 kids for the BETTER LIFE. It wasn’t easy though to convince each of the kids that we found. Some joined us and some didn’t believe that the BETTER LIFE existed.

Being amongst them, We understand the disappointment , anger, grief and frustration that they have within themselves.

We believe that this small change that we were able to bring in their life will not only helped them but also motivated us to GO FOR MORE. After this experience , We now planning to search out for kids during our free time. So that we can free more and more kids from child labour. Well after all, Every kid deserves to live a BETTER LIFE.

“ One Child, Each Child;Every Child Is Special. ”

COME! LETS HAVE A BETTER LIFE

OUR SINCERE THANKS TO :“We are glad , Its an honor to be part of your project”

Father Balashouri - Director, Don Bosco Navajeevan, Hyderabad.

“Any day, Anytime! We are there for the help”Brother John - Don Bosco.

“GOD will bless to those who are with poor and needy”Mr Vekatesh - Student of Don Bosco Navajeevan, Hyderabad.

“ A life time experience. Just learnt that we should always be ready to learn, unlearn, and relearn.”Vijaya Poojitha – Project Mentor, teacher Volunteer For Make A Difference Organization.

“These kids proved that no hand is too small to help. Hats off to their determined will to make a difference.”Nikitha Reddy – Teacher Volunteer For Make A Difference Organization.

“It was a great experience for me. If you can’t be good to people, don’t expect people to be good to you.”Shaik Kareemuddin – Teacher Volunteer For Make A Difference Organization.

“My Happiness is in yours happiness, To be happy I need to make them happy first”MKM Faiyaz Ahmed – Teacher Volunteer For Make A Difference Organization.