On our 5th Foundation day
Haribala was founded 5years ago from then flagged off
movement by dedicating for the upliftment of the poor and needy children.
Truly, a step forwards the footsteps of Chachaji the visionary of the
Modern India and who loved the children most, his principles will live
on in our hearts.Sixty years of after Independence, India does not have
comprehensive plan to uplift the poor children. There are no proper laws
available to the state and civil society to protect and ensure the well
being of an ‘orphan’ or ‘destitute
child’.
Of chocolates and Joy rides of colourful ribbons and sand sandcastles,
childhood is easily the most charming part of our lives. Since
its inception Haribala has started to its level best for the upliftment
of poor and needy children in and around the District
of Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, India.
I am happy to share that Haribala is striving to improve at least 300
children by funding them for basic education and basic amenities. We have
grown from 3 children and one village from year 2001 and today to 300 plus
spreading across 20 villages.
The Trust has undertaken various developmental activities and has become Number
One NGO to participate in health campaigning activities like
Pulse polio, AIDS awareness programs (AASHA), TB eradication programs
in Koilakuntla Mandal with local gram panchayat co-operation. Centre
for Abandoned Children (CAC): 12years old Maria Kumar
who sells tea at roadside, looks puzzled when asked whether he knows
about a child labour ban that is in place to prevent children of his
age being employed in domestic and hotel sectors.
He smiles shyly and mumbles that work is all he knows; school and play
are distant dream. Efforts are being made by Haribala are anything to go
by; this dream may soon become a reality for children like Maria Kumar.
We are conducting various campaigns, which will be urging various entities
to avoid employing children. They have been girls as young as eight who
work in households. It begins with them accompanying their mothers to work.
Then one day if the mother is unable to come the daughter does her work,
and gradually the young girl becomes a domestic servant. The aim of the
campaign is to identify the labour cases of the poor children and put them
in school.
We are planning to accommodate within 2years period of time at least 100
children in the proposed CAC Construction, which is on the way of construction.
On this occasion I would like to thank on behalf of Haribala India to thank
the benefactors of the prestigious project. If we take some statistical
figures of the Immigrant Indians which are dominating the United States
of America economy which accounts for 28% of all foreign founded private
start up companies and they have a market capitalization of more than $500
billion and it makes me wonder how much percentage of this above money
is coming back to the poor society which everyone should give a thought.
Based upon the 2001 census over 12 lakh children are still struck in child
labour jobs which is pathetic to know the big figure. As the years go by
it lies on the onus responsibility of Haribala to cater more needs of the
children and their basic facilities of help education and nutritious food.
I promise Haribala will stand by as front runner to make the children smile
in all the years to come across the District of Kurnool. I thank the governing
body of Haribala for giving me the opportunity to work for the cause of
children and for the upliftment of needy people in Koilakuntla. I pledge
that I will continue my support and devote to the possible extent of time
for the noble cause.
Shourie Chukka
Project Director
Haribala Trust, India Operations
