Balajyothi

A social initiative by ESAF for developing children of marginalised communities.

ESAF Balajyothi is a social initiative of ESAF CSR, which focus on developing children of marginalized communities through time tested integrated programs in 4 states of India namaely Kerala, Maharashtra, Jharkhand and Madhyapradesh. The initiative is the umbrella project of many existing and new child development projects of ESAF. The project envisions for a child friendly society, where children are empowered to advocate for their rights and work productively for the development of their community and contribute for the national development.

Goal:

To transform every neighborhood with happy, healthy and academically bright children, socially responsible youth and informed parents.

Objectives:

• Create platforms within the community to enhance the leadership skills of the children

• Provide opportunities for developing their creative skills and talents of the children

• Facilitate parents for achieving parenting goals through meaningful interventions

• Provide free mentoring service to students for improving academic performance

• Empower children and related stakeholders to advocate for basic child rights

• Enhance creative thinking of child through proper life skill education

Implementation strategy:

• Balajyothi Advisory Committee

This advisory committee will be in charge of regular monitoring of Balajyothi clubs at community level. The committee will be constituted under each panchayath where this project is being implemented. This management team will be headed by the Panchayath women and child development standing committee chairperson follow by Anganwadi worker, asha worker, SHG leaders, representatives of balajyothi clubs, retired teachers etc. They have regular monthly meeting to monitor and plan club activities. They also facilitate the implementation of activities along with club members. They also act as mentors to solve the issues faced by clubs locally and prevent violence or abuse attempts against children through timely reporting and reference.

• Balajyothi clubs

Balajyothi Clubs are children’s club which is proposed to be formed by the child representatives of sangam members in their respective communities. This club which will be formed in a democratic model will work for the overall development of the children and the community. There will be maximum of 20-25 children who are having good academic and non academic, leadership and communication skills. The members will be nominated by the advisory committee or can be selected from childrens camps. The club will engage in different activities and organizes a set of programs, according to the annual activity calendar. The club will be monitored by the Balajyothi advisory committee and ESCO Branch Manager and will report to the Program Officer. The club will have weekly meetings and their representatives should be the members of monthly advisory committee meetings. These club members are in charge of planning activities, mobilizing children and implementing along with the support of adivisory committee.

Benefits:

• Children – Children will get a unique opportunity to engage in various activities which develop their skills and widen their perspective. They will be acquainted with working productively as a team and also become accountable for their actions. They will also be empowered to advocate for their own rights and become social conscious.

• Community – The formation of the clubs will be much beneficial for the community. The functioning of the clubs will provide the children to spend their leisure time productively, which will prevent them from engaging in various anti-social activities. This will reduce the issues like children engaging in criminal and other anti-social activities; reduce child abuse and substance addiction among the children. The children as part of the club will take part in various activities, which not only develop them personally, but also the entire community itself.