In
2004, Seva Mandir expanded its relationship with Plan International.
Part of the new relationship entailed Seva Mandir incorporating
a Child-Centred Approach into all its work. Since Plan raises
its funds through a sponsorship mechanism, a variety of
systems had to be established to support the various communication
requirements that this entails.
For
child sponsorship to function properly it is essential that
certain children are registered with Plan International
and that regular communication is established between the
child, Seva Mandir, Plan and the sponsor. To address this
issue, Seva Mandir formulated the idea of having Child Representatives
at the village level. A major concern, however, was that
these children would receive preferential treatment as a
result of selection and a great emphasis has been placed
on ensuring that this does not happen. At the same time,
however, the Child Representatives provide a basis for introducing
child-centred community development to the community. Furthermore,
since the child representatives constitute a representative
sample of children from Seva Mandir’s work area, they
help to provide a better understanding of the critical issues
that are being faced by children in its work area.
An
essential part of the communication process is the periodic
sending of photographs of children and their families.
In order to facilitate this process Seva Mandir has engaged
local youth from the same villages as the Child Representatives
as photographers. To make this possible, youth have been
provided a number of trainings – in both manual
photography and, more recently digital photography. While
engaging youth photographers has presented numerous challenges
in terms of quality – particularly in initial stages
– the costs and problems this has entailed will
be greatly reduced with the shift to digital photographs.
Children’s
Forums constitute a critical intervention in moving toward
child-centred community development as they are the primary
means through which children’s concerns can be given
due attention. In addition to this, the children’s
forums, which hold regular monthly meetings, serve as
platforms through which children are able to acquire and
develop important leadership and communication skills.
These forums require considerable facilitation by Seva
Mandir’s staff – both in facilitating the
children to share their opinions and in creating space
for children’s concerns on village level platforms.
A
critical part of the Child Representatives Programme is
ensuring that principles of child centred community development
are mainstreamed within Seva Mandir. To achieve this means
working alongside the different programmes and engaging
jointly in activities that involves the children as participants,
decision-makers and agents of change.
Ellie's
Diary of Little Children
Bhurki is a small, beautiful,
quiet
child with big brown eyes and a little smile that
plays on her lips, Both her parents......
