Hey there, it's Doug here. I wanted to tell you about a new initiative that I am very excited to be holding in India in 2 weeks. This is something that is very dear to my heart and has come from my many first-hand experiences working with slum kids, over the past decade. 

First Annual Children’s Advocacy Summit
Project Help India is set to host its First Annual Children’s Advocacy Summit, a groundbreaking event aimed at raising awareness of Project Help India and addressing key issues impacting children in Northern India. This collaborative initiative will bring together a diverse group of stakeholders, including community leaders, police, NGOs, faith leaders, and concerned citizens, to foster a unified approach to protecting children's rights and improving their future.

The summit’s primary objectives include highlighting the achievements of Project Help India, while also giving a platform for parents and community members to share their voices. Some of the attendees will be parents who have been invited to speak about Project Help India, while also discussing ongoing concerns within their communities. Some of our students will give a short performance (which is always very cute!). A significant focus will be on access to quality education, particularly for girls, children with disabilities, and those in remote areas lacking school infrastructure.

In addition to education, the summit will address critical issues such as child labour, trafficking, and the need for robust drug education programs. 
Discussions will aim to produce actionable plans for safeguarding children, particularly during times of crisis like natural disasters or extreme weather events, which disproportionately affect vulnerable children.

Key political figures, community influencers, and media representatives will be invited to participate, ensuring that the summit generates national and local media attention. The event seeks to foster collaboration between all sectors, ensuring that community efforts are aligned in the fight to keep children safe and provide them with the resources they need to thrive.
Through this summit, we hope to build lasting partnerships and identify concrete solutions to protect children's rights and improve their quality of life. We will be holding two meetings, the first will be in Zira, Punjab on 3rd October and the second will be in Kotdwara, in the state of Uttarakhand on 6th October. 

To be honest, I'm not sure how it will go. 30 people have been invited to each of the meetings - we have to start somewhere! There are so many children in both states of India who live in absolute poverty, and who are marginalised and highly vulnerable.
 
Back in March 2023, the Project help India Team held a similar 'advocacy' event which was well attended with 350 community members - however it was not specifically focussed on children. It was the success of this event that made me think that more can be done for children. Their voice needs to be heard. You can read about it here  Advocacy and Giving Voice = Love in Action

The Project Help India Team and I would value your prayers and ongoing support and interest.

Thanks for reading,
Love Doug 

When going to school keeps vulnerable kid safe from exploitation and trafficking

​For over a decade Project Help India has provided a beacon of hope for children trapped in the vicious cycle of poverty, drug abuse, and street begging. Through the unwavering dedication of our team, we have transformed the lives of countless 'Dalit' (also known as 'the untouchables') children, steering them towards education and better nutrition. 

Last week the children from Project Help India's Kotdwara Slum Center took a bold step by staging street dramas to raise awareness about 'Operation Mukti'. We are so proud of some of our senior students who bravely and most confidently handled the microphone to give speeches to the public. In doing this, their skills are growing exponentially and they provide a wonderful leadership example to the other students and to the many passers-by.

Operation Mukti, spearheaded by the Uttarakhand Police Department, aims to rescue children from the streets and provide them with the opportunity to receive an education. It's a collaborative effort involving various government departments and NGOs, with Project Help India playing a pivotal role. Over the years Project Help India has participated in Operation Mukti, and we have been delighted and encouraged by the large number of confirmed new school enrolments that we have seen across the state.

What is significant about this endeavour is the emphasis on changing mindsets about the value and importance of education. For many of the Dalits there is a belief and generational lived experience that school is not accessible to their children. Sadly due to entrenched prejudice still held by many in the community (coupled with hierarchies of power and control) it can be very difficult for the Dalit kids and their families to be accepted and included in a school community.

The primary objective of Operation Mukti is to eradicate child begging, promote education, and raise community awareness to prevent child exploitation. During these awareness programs, senior police officials and representatives from human trafficking departments were present, underlining the seriousness of the issue. 

Our Director, Mr. Amit Samuel, engaged with the community to discuss solutions and emphasise the importance of supporting children's education.

As Project Help India continues its mission, we stand as a shining example of how grassroots initiatives and compassionate actions, can bring about positive change and pave the way for a brighter future for the next generation. Through our collective efforts, we are striving to create a more inclusive and safer environment for vulnerable children, shielding them from the horrors of trafficking and exploitation.