http://america.cry.org/site/downloads/GSS_Photoessay-final.ppt


In the villages of Kutch in India, robbed of identity and denied education, children were resorting to the only other alternative; child labor, robbing themselves of a childhood and any possibility of a future. Today, this area stands for freedom. Reclaimed ...land was distributed to the landless for farming, medical and education facilities were revived. This has been possible only with your support.

A new year is around the corner. A time to pursue new dreams; of being a better person, working in a better job, making the world a better place. Armed with an education our dreams are ours for the taking.
But poverty, social bias, ignorance, indifference, etc. prevent many children in India from learning. Shouldn't they too have an equal chance to realize their dreams?

Continue sharing joy this festive season - https://america.cry.org/mainapp/donation.aspx?PageType=CMLP08

Landless tribes in Orissa raise their voice against exploitation and win back their rights including their children’s education. Read another one of CRY America's success stories - https://america.cry.org/site/pdf/SPREAD_Aug10.pdf

On the occasion of World Literacy day, CRY's 'My School' initiative captures 750 children's creative expressions on what they want from their school on postcards. These children are from CRY's project areas in Gujarat and Maharashtra, India. The intent is to bring in children’s voices that are currently amiss in the Ri...ght to Education act to sensitise people on the situation of children's education. These postcards were displayed at various public places in Mumbai and onlookers were requested to leave a message for children on what they would like for children in the arena of education.

Children victims of meagre wages

Thousands of crores may have been spent on setting up venues and the village for Commonwealth Games, but the men who actually lay the brick do not even get enough wages to afford one square meal for the family every day.

A study by Child Rights and You (CRY), CRY America's partner in India, at the Siri Fort construction site has revealed 84% labourers are paid much less than the stipulated minimum wage of Rs 203 per day for unskilled workers.

According to CRY's survey conducted over a period of two months at other sites like Dhyan Chand National Stadium, R K Khanna Stadium, Talkatora Stadium, JLN Stadium and Lodhi Road, children of these construction workers have to live in inhuman conditions. They go without quality food, safe drinking water, healthcare and formal schooling, the report says.

"We interviewed many construction workers at the Siri Fort construction site and found a majority of them were paid only about 60% of the stipulated amount, which is anyway too less. As a result, these workers can't even provide adequate food to their children," said Yogita Verma, director, CRY.

As per the findings, while unskilled workers were being paid Rs 85 to Rs 100 per day, skilled workers earned around Rs 120 every day. A 25-year-old worker at the Games Village site told CRY that a large chunk of his wages was taken away by the contractor. "Our entire family is cramped into a plastic tent. Whenever mediapersons come, the site supervisor bluffs them by saying that workers receive Rs 200 and masons get Rs 500. We only get a part of it, the rest goes to the contractor," he claimed.

Verma said, "We are trying to build such a fantastic image of our country but the children of these workers do not even go to school. They just loiter around all day as these sites do not even have any facility for a creche." The report also refers to a PIL filed in the Delhi high court according to which nearly 4.15 lakh daily-wage workers were working on six venue clusters and five standalone venues for the Games in the city. CRY found children of many such workers had to drop out of school when the family migrated to the city from their place of residence.
(source: Times of India)

CRY Walk for Child Rights, in its seventh year is being organized by 20 Volunteer Chapters of CRY America. The CRY Walk series will kick off on June 5, 2010 at Hartford, CT. Walk events in July include Denver, Alabama, Minneapolis, Bay Area. August events include Detroit, Boston, Frankfort (KY). September events include NY, Chicago and Pittsburgh. Zee TV is the official media sponsor for CRY Walk 2010. Visit http://america.cry.org/cryevents/walk to know more.

At 400 million, India has the world's largest child population. 50% of Indian children aged 6-18 do not go to school. With your support CRY America works towards turning around this situation to ensure every child has a right to free and quality education and an equal opportunity to achieve their full potential.
Help us TURN IT AROUND - click the link below: http://america.cry.org/mainapp/spreadtheword.aspx?pagetype=stw

Javed Akthar, a renowned poet, lyricist and scriptwriter recites his poem ‘Mumbai Tere Bachche’ (Mumbai, your children) describing the trials and tribulations of street children in Mumbai city in India at a CRY America event for child rights.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKFmsdf3L3Y
Acclaimed actor Shabana Azmi recites Javed Akthar's poem in English 'Mumbai your children' at a CRY America event for child rights.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUJ0bHET1aY

India joins list of 135 countries in making education a right

With the Right to Education Act coming into force, India has joined the league of over 130 countries which have legal guarantees to provide free and compulsory education to children.
According to the UNESCO’s ‘Education for All Global Monitoring Report 2010’, about 135 countries have constitutional provisions for free and non-discriminatory education for all.

Chile tops the list of countries in providing free education for a period of 15 years to a child. It gives free and compulsory education to children in the age group of six to 21 years.

The Latin American country, where elementary education was among the worst two decades ago, had implemented a special education programme in 1990 which recorded a significant improvement among primary and upper primary students.

http://beta.thehindu.com/news/national/article365232.ece dated April 2, 2010
(source: www.hindu.com)