Srilankan Cultural Exchange Programme June 2011

Karunalaya has been hosting children's cultural exchange programme with Children Skill Development Programme (CSDP), Colombo, Srilanka since 2008. Srilankan cultural exchange programme was held on 29.06.11 at our premises. Ms Rathna Director CSDP Colombo, Sri lanka and her team performed traditional dance. Various competitions like singing, dance and quiz were conducted for both Srilankan and our children. Medals and certificates were distributed to the winners by the chief guest Mr. V. Krishnamoorthy Deputy High Commissioner of Sri lanka in India. The purpose of the programme was to develop the skills among the children and to know the other country traditions and culture. 74 children from North Chennai slums and shelter home of Karunalaya actively participated in this cultural exchange programme.

Inauguration of New Chapter of Pavement Dwellers Rights Association

Empowering the most marginalised people to assert their rights is one of the important initiatives of Karunalaya. People living on the streets and pavements of Chennai should be respected and their rights protected. As a result of educating and organising these pavement dwelling people as a united force to fight for their rights, the Pavement Dwellers Rights Association was born. It is an organisation by the poor people, lead by the representatives who are discovering their strength to be a force to reckon with. On 09.07.11 the new chapter of Pavement Dwellers Rights Association (PDRA) was inaugurated at muthusamisalai near dental college. Dr. Paul Sunder Singh Director of Karunalaya opened the name board of PDRA. He spoke about the activities of PDRA and the representatives and members vital role in this association. In Muthusamisalai the people are living without any basic facilities through this association they can raise their voice for their rights. Around 100 Pavement dwellers participated in this programme.

Annual Scout Camp

Every year Karunalaya conducts Annual Scout Camp for the street children. This year the camp was held at Adukkum parai, Vellore. The objective of this camp was to build Leadership skill and Personality Development for the Street Children. The camp was from 25^th to 28^th May 2011 at Arulothayam ashram, Adukkum Parai, Vellore. Totally 50 children participated in the camp. 31 were from shelter home and 19 children were from street areas. The Director Dr. N. Paul Sunder Singh was the Camp Chief, Mr. Ranganathan, staff of karunalaya was the Scout Master for the camp. CCoordinators, staff members and volunteers conducted the activities. Children actively participated in all the scout events. The children were divided into 6 patrols among which 4 were scouts and 2 were guides.

The camp was conducted successfully. The children learned many good things from the camp, discipline among the street children are improved. The children enjoyed the camp as it was very adventurous and gained experience to cherish.

Crackdown on Child Labour in North Chennai

In order to prevent child labour in north Chennai Karunalaya identified child labour in various areas in north Chennai with the support of Dutch Embassy and rescue them. The rescued child labours are given transit school education and enrolled in formal school through National Child Labour Project. Apart from this Karunalaya cultural team performs awareness programme called cultural yatra for elimination of child labour which is conducted every friday at slums, streets, tenements and industrial areas in North Chennai. We organized cultural yatra awareness programme for child labour prevention and intervention in North Chennai on 08^th July 2011 at Muthusami Salai, Ambedkar Nagar (Near Dental College), Chennai at 4.30 pm. Our cultural team performed karagattam, kolattam. Oyilattam, kummiyattam, lesim and awareness songs and skits ensuring the parents to send their children to school. Around 100 community people participated. At the end of the programme the parents promised that they will send their children only to school and not to work.

Observing International Day for Elimination of Child Labour 2011

Child labour is a significant problem in Tamil Nadu. Its prevalence is found to be higher in North Chennai than in other parts of Chennai, since North Chennai is known for underdevelopment with slums and innumerable unorganized sectors. In order to prevent child labour in North Chennai Karunalaya identifies child labour in various areas of North Chennai and rescues them. The rescued child labours are placed in transit school and later enrolled in formal school through National Child Labour Project. The International Day for Elimination of Child Labour was observed at Karunalaya and organized a programme to release postures on elimination of child labour and to distribute the study materials for the rescued child labourers. Hon’ble Speaker Mr. D. Jayakumar B.Sc.,B.L., Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly and Mr. P. Vetrivel Member of Legislative Assembly of R.K. Nagar Constituency released the postures on elimination of child labour.

Dr. Jayachandran MBBS Convener human rights federation North Chennai distributed the study materials for the rescued child labourers. Dr. N. Paul Sunder Singh, Secretary, Karunalaya welcomed the gathering and the event was presided over by Mr. S. John Bosco President and Mr. B. Ravikumar David, Vice President of Karunalaya.

Empowerment of Women a strong process

Empowerment of women in the slums and streets has been a challenge due to gender insensitivity. 300 women’s groups in these areas have made incredible improvements economically and socially in the recent past. Karunalaya has taken considerable efforts to stop marginalization of women in the society in various ways.

World Women’s Day was celebrated in Karunalaya on 25^th June 2011 jointly with around 1500 women from women self help groups. Hon’ble Speaker Mr. D. Jayakumar B.Sc.,B.L., Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly was the Special Chief Guest for the occassion. Mr. P. Vetrivel B.A., MLA and Dr. Jayachandran, MBBS were our special guests.

The programme commenced with Karunalaya anthem. Mr. S. John Bosco, President of Karunalaya, Mr. B. Ravikumar David, Vice President of Karunalaya presided over the programme. Dr, N. Paul Sunder Singh, Director Karunalaya in his introductory speech elaborated about the purpose, scope of women sangam and its function towards realising the economic, social and political rights of the women and that every day should be women's day in their life.

Every year five best SHGs are selected and awarded for best saving, availing bank loan, social service, best entrepreneur and best participation;

The following SHGs are selected

1. Award for best saving – Pugal women self help group, Tilagar Nagar
2. Award for best availing loan- Star women self help group, HUL Nagar
3. Award for best social service – Marutham women self help group, Kasipuram.
4. Award for best entrepreneurship- Oli A.E Koil Street
5. Award for best participation – Zion women Self help group, Nagooran Garden.

Hon’ble Speaker Mr. D. Jayakumar B.Sc.,B.L., Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly presented the awards for the Best Self Help Group and gave a special speech in which he recollected the laudable role played by Karunalaya after Tsunami in tandem with the efforts of the Government in Chennai. Mr. P. Vetrivel B.A., MLA unveiled the name board of the women sangam and gave the felicitation address. Dr. Jayachandran, MBBS distributed the prizes for the winners in various competitions. Around 1500 women participated in this programme. The programme was presided by Mr. John Bosco , President, Karunalaya. The programme ended with the national anthem. This event was in joint support of Stichting Amaidhi and Overal, The Netherlands, for the empowerment of women.