Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation launches a unique initiative

Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation (KSCF) – founded by Nobel Peace Laureate Kailash Satyarthi launched “Arogya Yatra” on Tuesday to spread awareness on health among women and children in 10 slum areas in Pune. The 4-day long Yatra will reach out to people through street plays, puppet shows, songs on health and will also distribute pamphlets to spread awareness regarding health of women and children. Co-founder of Bal Ashram Trust and renowned social activist Sumedha Kailash was chief guest at the launch of “Arogya Yatra”. Bal Ashram Trust is country’s first long-term rehabilitation centre for children freed from child labour. On this occasion, Sunil Tingre, MLA of Vadgaon Sheri Assembly constituency and Rakesh Senger, Executive Director of Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation were also present.

The Yatra began in the evening at Indira Nagar Burmasell in Lohgaon, where people including men, women and children from the slums participated in large numbers. On the occasion, people collectively pledged to make their respective communities healthy, clean and safe. Melodious songs on health, street plays and puppet shows added colour to the awareness Yatra. Women and young girls especially were explained to drop conservative views on menstrual health and hygiene and were made aware to maintain good health.

Co-founder of Bal Ashram Trust, Sumedha Kailash said, “Bal Mitra Mandal (child friendly community) is a unique concept to build a child friendly society in the urban areas. The concept first arose from the Bal Mitra Gram model in villages. Starting from the country's capital New Delhi, the formation of Bal Mitra Mandal can now be seen in Pune”. She further said, “We firmly believe that in near future government, society and civil society will work collectively to make Pune a Bal Mitra society. Today “Arogya Yatra” has started from the slum areas spreading awareness on health among women and young girls, and will reach out to every household and make them aware”.

Bal Mitra Mandal is a unique initiative of Nobel Peace Laureate Kailash Satyarthi. Under this initiative, effort is made to transform urban slum areas into Bal Mitra Mandal. No child in Bal Mitra Mandal is engaged in child labour and all children are enrolled in schools. Also in order to build leadership skills in children, Bal Parishad (children council) are formed. Bal Mitra Mandal is enabling the empowerment of children of urban slums.