Child development is a universal concern, transcending boundaries and borders. Every child, regardless of their geographical location, deserves the best opportunities for growth and protection of their rights. It’s with this profound belief in mind Caritas India is committed to strengthening its partners and emphasizing organizational capacity building. A significant facet of this endeavour is the promotion of cross-organizational learning, where partners interact with each other, exchange experiences, and pool their collective expertise.

One such inspiring chapter in this journey unfolded when Surokhit Shaishav, a program dedicated to promoting safe childhood, partnered with Seva Kendra Silchar in Assam and took a transformative leap by engaging in cross-organizational learning with Seva Kendra Siliguri in West Bengal. From September 11th to 15th, 2023, these two organizations came together to learn and grow, with the shared goal of enhancing child development activities in their respective regions.

The heart of this learning exchange program lies in fostering interactions among various stakeholders, from children and parents to teachers, health workers, police personnel, local administration representatives, Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI), and District Administration. Child rights networks and alliances were also an integral part of this enriching experience, reinforcing the notion that the effectiveness of such programs is maximized when all stakeholders actively participate.

The journey began with the Silchar team receiving a comprehensive briefing about the program’s evolution and accomplishments over the years. This walk down memory lane was a testament to the hard work and dedication of the program team. Ms. Alisha Yadav, the Program Coordinator, shed light on the strategic priorities and challenges encountered during the program’s initial phase. The day commenced with a significant commitment as all members signed the safeguarding policy’s code of conduct of Seva Kendra Siliguri, emphasizing the unwavering dedication to child protection.

The first stop on this enlightening journey was the Child-Friendly Corner at Bagdogra Police Station. Following the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) guidelines, the establishment of Child-Friendly Police Stations aims to create a pool of police personnel well-versed in child rights and protection. Sub-Inspector Nirmal Kr. Das, the Officer in Charge at Bagdogra Police Station, expressed their commitment to this endeavor. He explained, “Not only are our police personnel trained, but we have also ensured that all civic police volunteers are trained as well. Our goal is to create an environment where children feel safe to express their concerns openly and without fear. Whenever we address child-related issues, we collaborate with the systems provided for children’s welfare and seek assistance from the Seva Kendra team, as they are frequent visitors to our Child-Friendly Police Corner. In rural villages, the SKS team regularly conducts awareness programs, inviting us to engage with children and the community. We truly appreciate the efforts made by the program team of Seva Kendra Siliguri.”

Following this enlightening visit, the team convened with community-based organizations, including mother groups and self-help groups, at Hatemuri Gram Panchayat in the Gungaram Tea Estate under Phansidewa Block. The President of the Self-Help Group emphasized the importance of education, stating that all children in the tea estate attend school, and they work diligently to ensure that parents send their children to school regularly. Education is viewed as a catalyst for personal growth and development, and these community members are determined to provide their children with opportunities they might not have had themselves.

On September 12, 2023, the team visited Simulbari Junior Basic High School in the Sukna Gram Panchayat under the Kurseong Block. There, they met with Mr. Paresh Tirkey, GTA Sabhashad, Mrs. Manju-Pradhan of Sukna Gram Panchayat, Simulbari Tea Garden Union Secretary, and Panchayat members. Present were also three volunteer teachers dedicated to educating 36 students at the high school. Mr. Tirkey, in his introductory note, recounted the school’s challenging journey. Despite being built in 2015, it remained practically non-functional until 2019. The school had suffered theft and vandalism, with windows, doors, tables, chairs, fans, and electrical wires stolen, turning it into a haven for anti-social elements. This region had a high number of school dropouts, both boys and girls, engaged in work in the tea gardens or at the riverbed.

However, starting in 2019-20, with the initiative of local community members, Seva Kendra staff, and the head teacher of the adjacent primary school, efforts to renovate the school building commenced. The school began with just four students from the nearby village, supported by three volunteer teachers. Today, they have managed to provide desks and benches for the children, whiteboards, fans, lights, school bags, and books. Their aspiration is to once again register this school under the Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) initiated by the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education. When asked about the reasons behind the high dropout rates and cases of children not attending school, Mr. Tirkey pointed to a significant issue: alcohol addiction. He emphasized the need for increased awareness about the adverse effects of alcohol and the importance of education.

Next on the itinerary was a visit to the Simulbari Tea Estate Health Centre, where the team met with the Auxiliary Nurse and Midwife (ANM) worker, health assistant, and ASHA workers. Mrs. Rida Ekka shared concerns about the increasing cases of early pregnancy in recent years, stating, “You can see for yourself today how many mothers have come with their children. We conducted awareness campaigns on adolescent health and collaborated with the Surokhit Shaishav team on health and hygiene, early marriage, and teenage pregnancy. However, we have received guidance and orders from the block health department that we cannot prevent early marriages. Instead, we must make families aware of family planning and good parenting. This will, at least temporarily, address the issue of early pregnancy and its related health hazards.”

The final meeting of the day took place with the police and the Child Club leaders of Panighatta in Chenga Gram Panchayat under the Mirik Block. The team first visited the Child-Friendly Corner in the Panighatta Police Post, where Sub-Inspector Jyotish interacted with them. He shared insights into the initiation of the Child-Friendly Corner at the Panighatta Police Post, crediting the proposal from the Seva Kendra Siliguri team. He highlighted the various activities conducted with children and in villages after the establishment of the Child-Friendly Corner, emphasizing that the police compound had genuinely become child-friendly. Children no longer hesitated to approach the police, especially those aware of the Child-Friendly Corner and had participated in numerous activities with the police. Sub-Inspector Jyotish encouraged the Assam team to approach the Officer In Charge of their local police station and initiate the process if they did not have a Child-Friendly Corner.

Later in the day, the team had their second meeting with the child leaders of Angel Children’s Club. These remarkable children welcomed the team and shared their journey of coming together, working collaboratively, raising awareness, advocating for children in need, and presenting their demands to government authorities. Ms. Isneha Minj, now a student in class IX, spoke passionately about the collective efforts of Angel’s Children’s Club. She recounted their success in getting streetlights approved and sanctioned by the Gram Panchayat, saying, “This was possible because we raised our voices and demanded our rights. The Child Rights program has given us the opportunity to meet the then Chairperson of the West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights (WBCPCR), Mrs. Ananya Ma’am. We presented our charter of demands for our hills children to her, and we are grateful for this opportunity.” Isneha’s words reflected the vibrancy and dynamism of a young child leader.

Seva Kendra Silchar also had the privilege of visiting the Gorubathan Block in Kalimpong District to be a part of ‘Blooming Heart – where music and acts connect hearts… Annual Youth and Children’s Meet 2023. This event showcased children’s issues through theatre in education (TiE) and involved the participation of Sabhasad, newly appointed panchayat representatives, schoolteachers, the Block-level Youth Officer, students, and youth. The program was entirely conducted by and for children and received high praise from the Silchar team, who found it to be an excellent learning experience.

As the visit neared its conclusion, the team visited the BSF Anti Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU) Camp at Fulbari, where Mr. Rajesh, an officer from AHTU, delivered a presentation on human trafficking and highlighted the unit’s achievements to all BSF jawans at Camp Fulbari. Ms. Asha R. Ekka, Program Lead for Child Development, then presented Caritas India’s Surokhit Shaishav – Promoting Safe Childhood program. This was followed by a comprehensive presentation on human and child trafficking by Ms. Alisha Yadav, Program Coordinator for Seva Kendra Siliguri. The importance of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) was also emphasized during this informative session.

The journey culminated with the team’s participation in the North Bengal Regional Consultation on Child Labour, organized by the Campaign Against Child Labour. This event provided the team with invaluable insights into the significance of networking in addressing child labor.

The week-long cross-organizational learning program saw the presence of dedicated individuals from Seva Kendra Silchar, including Mr. Raphael Barla, Program Coordinator, Mr. James Halam, Child Protection Officer, Mr. Bhuban Rajwar, Mr. Bikas Bhumij, Mr. Rajesh Halam – Child Protection workers, and volunteers Ms. Tracy Lamont and Ms. Dipti Patra. Together, they embarked on a journey of discovery, knowledge sharing, and collaboration with Seva Kendra Siliguri, under the able guidance of Caritas India’s visionary approach.

In the heart of this remarkable journey lies a profound message – that the progress of child development knows no boundaries. It is a shared mission that unites communities, organizations, and individuals, transcending geographical confines. As the Silchar team returns to Assam, they carry with them not only a wealth of knowledge but also a renewed commitment to advancing child development and safeguarding the rights of every child, everywhere. The exchange between Silchar and Siliguri has exemplified the power of collective action and cross-organizational learning, igniting hope for a brighter future for our children.