Indore: Madhya Pradesh Domestic Workers Movement run by Christian community organised ‘Day of Hope’ for the children of domestic workers at St Raphael’s Higher Secondary School auditorium on Sunday. About 170 children from different slums like Bicholi Kakad, Aman Nagar, Buddh Nagar, Aalok Nagar, Naya Basera, Choti Khajarani, Triveni Nagar, Navlakha, Phuti Kothi area participated in this programme. Resource person was Pankaj Sawale, a social worker. He spoke about human rights and children’s rights. He also emphasised on how to approach child helpline.
Sr Rosina Joseph, director of movement, said, “It is great joy for me to see children coming from slums because from where they come; they have no open playgrounds.” She talked about depleting green cover and open playgrounds in the city. “We wanted children to know about their rights, so the educational seminar was organised,” Sr Rosina said. The day-long programme gave kids time to mingle with one another.
Simple interactive games were organised and winners were awarded prizes. Programme coordinator Meena Bhagel said, “We celebrated the day as day of hope to motivate children and help them.” She said most children’s parents are domestic workers, which does not leave them enough time to talk about problems. “We also talked to them about the good and bad touch to save them from being victims of such incidents,” Meena said.
Mentor Francina Nelson talked about Right to Live, Right to Equality, and Right to Education. “Our target is that they should know their rights from very beginning of their lives,” Francina said. One of the participants Vidhya Bhale Rao appeared excited. “I am very happy and hopeful. It was educational; we learned about our rights,” she said. Another participant Satya Aotodev studying in Ideal Bal Vinay Mandir School said, “I made new friends, it was a fun day.”
