Shaishav Child Rights

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Shaishav Child Rights

Shaishav is participatory child rights NGO working with and for marginalised children in Bhavnagar, India. Shaishav runs the Bhavnagar Childline.

Shaishav is committed to realizing the basic rights of children, particularly the underprivileged. It does so by combining conventional and non – conventional teaching methods to teach children crucial life skills and child rights; advocating about children rights at local, State and National level and unifying communities to make change in the life’s of children. Our activities:

Balsena, (‘child

ren’s force’), is a collective of children, managed and led by children. Here, children learn to recognize and campaign for their rights. Balsena has roughly 1500 members, aged 6-18, spread across 44 slum areas. Balsena’s children are involved in Savings Bank, which allows to save money and learn financial responsibilities; adolescence programs, which support children through puberty and other gender specific issues, wenlido training for self – defense and various training and activities in regards to children rights, participation and leadership. Tarunsena, our Youth collective, provides opportunities for leadership, skill development and personal growth for youth ages 18 – 25. Area Resource Centers provide training in English and Computing, libraries, information for youths about vocational training opportunities, and support for local people on government schemes, benefits, and support options. The Child Rights Training and Resource Centre develops resources and training materials to use both in Bhavnagar and outside. Networking/Advocacy Shaishav works from a grassroots level to create policy change in different communities. At present, Shaishav is focusing on the Right to Education Act. Shaishav acts as the convener for Child Rights Collective-Gujarat, who facilitates the state level Right to Education Forum. Community Outreach: Shaishav’s Communities Team reaches tens of thousands of community members each year. Part of our community outreach is working on a case-by-case basis with child labourers and school dropouts, as well as children at risk for both of these and of child marriage, to try to enroll and retain as many children in school as possible. Child Line is a 24 hour, completely free emergency phone number (1098) and outreach service for children in need of care and protection as well as children in emergency.

24/12/2025

બાલસેના વાર્ષિકોત્સવ ૨૦૨૫

અમારી બાલસેનાના ૨૩મા વાર્ષિકોત્સવમાં સહભાગી થવા આપ સૌને હાર્દિક આમંત્રણ છે!

'આપણું ભારત: વિવિધતામાં એકતા'ના થીમ સાથે, આવતીકાલે બાલસેનાના બાળકો ઉજવશે એમના સ્વના સંગઠનનો ઉત્સવ.....
ચોક્કસ આવજો.....

સ્થળ: દોલત અનંત વળીયા હાઈસ્કૂલ
તારીખ: ૨૫ ડિસેમ્બર, ૨૦૨૫
સમય: સવારે ૮:૩૦ થી સાંજે ૫:૩૦ સુધી
આવો, સાથે મળીને અમારા ઉત્સાહને વધારી વિવિધતાના આ પર્વને યાદગાર બનાવીએ!

18/12/2025

Leadership camps fuel leadership values and skills among children. This camp was particularly important because we foused on inculcating constitutional rights, responsibilities and democratic values among children. It was so amazing to see how they could understand the essence of the constitution and also were able to relate and reflect them to their own lives and situations.

Based on the learning they decided to deepen their understanding by organizing Balsena Annual program around the theme of "Unity in Diversity in India". ✊🤝

17/12/2025

Shaishav’s Leadership Camps focus on building children’s understanding of constitutional values and their relevance to daily life.
In our recent camp, through interactive sessions, real-life reflection, creative expression, and a heritage visit, children engaged deeply with equality, liberty, secularism, and fraternity.
The camp concluded with children drafting the Balsena Constitution — a practical exercise in collective leadership and democratic participation.

11/12/2025

This isn’t just a 25-seater bus — it’s a moving universe of learning.
Shaishav’s MMRC (Multipurpose Mobile Resource Centre) in Dediyapada travels from village to village, bringing experiences that many children otherwise never get to access.

Step inside, and you’ll find:
* A vibrant library with books for every age group
* A science lab packed with equipment for experiments and interactive learning
* AV tools including a 42-inch smart TV for digital lessons
* Laptops for building computer literacy
* Board games, maps, and TLMs that turn learning into play
* Materials for adolescent sessions on puberty, self-image, relationships and goal setting
* Exhibition panels for hosting learning showcases
* A pull-out stage for performances, plays and public speaking
* Workshop kits that let children build, create, innovate
* Sessions with experts who bring fresh skills and perspectives
* And a 20x20 expandable tent on both sides of the bus, creating a spacious, shaded learning area wherever children gather

Last week, we were privileged to welcome ASED Country Director, Devashish Pandey our primary supporter for this incredible initiative. His visit reaffirmed how powerful it is when collective vision meets community needs.

Sharing glimpses from this inspiring day.

26/11/2025

Today, on 26th November, we celebrate Constitution Day – the day the Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution of India in 1949. We honor Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the principal architect of our Constitution, and the values that guide our nation: equality, freedom, fraternity, and justice.

During a recent Balsena leadership camp facilitated by Shaishav, 17-year-old Bhoomi shared her reflections in a beautiful letter. Her insights remind us how the Constitution is a guide for daily life.

Socialism and Equality
Bhoomi reflects that socialism and equality mean no one is bigger or smaller, and society thrives when people support each other socially and economically. Everyone deserves access to basic needs like water and shelter, and no one should be left behind. While people may be born into different castes, classes, or religions, ultimately, we are all one.

Unity
When one member of a family or one section of society is neglected, everyone suffers. Noone should struggle for basic needs like shelter and food. Society can only be strong when all members are supported and cared for equally.

Freedom
Bhoomi emphasizes that freedom is the right to think, speak, and live freely. Everyone should be able to express themselves, make choices, and follow their own path without fear or oppression.

Fraternity
Fraternity, she reflects, is about living with friendship, respect, and cooperation. It requires mutual understanding, compassion, and a commitment to build a community where everyone feels included and valued.

Bhoomi’s reflections are a beautiful reminder that the Constitution is more than a document – it is a guide to living honestly, compassionately, and courageously. This Constitution Day, let’s take inspiration from her insights and uphold these principles in our daily lives. 🇮🇳

14/11/2025

At Shaishav, children are our greatest gurus.
This Children’s Day, we remember Sonal — a young girl whose selflessness, courage, and sense of responsibility inspired our team and her entire community.

From giving up opportunities so others could rise, to supporting her family through hardship, to standing firm on her self-respect — Sonal showed us what true leadership looks like.

Her story reminds us every day: children don’t just learn from us — we learn from them.

30/10/2025

🎲✨ Learning Gandhi’s values — through play!

At the Gandhi Gunjan programme organized by Lokbharti Sanosara, our Balsena team from Shaishav facilitated an engaging session for 182 students of Pandit Sukhlalji Lokvidyalay, Maidhar.

Through games rooted in teamwork, empathy, and truth, children explored Gandhian values in a joyful, participatory way — proving that learning can be both meaningful and fun! 💙

25/10/2025

On 17th September, Shaishav was delighted to host students and professors from the University of Milan Bicocca 🇮🇹 as part of their Learning from the Local Summer School program with Soste.org 🌍

From screening our story to heartfelt conversations with our Balsena children and field visits to local schools — it was a day of sharing, learning, and connecting across cultures ❤️

Grateful for this beautiful exchange of ideas, curiosity, and inspiration ✨

18/09/2025

Children leading the way! ✨
On 5th September 2025, Balsena held its Presidential Elections 🎉 with 68 council members participating.

👧 Six children (5 girls, 1 boy) stepped up with confidence, shared their visions, and answered questions from peers.
📊 Through discussions and a criteria-based process, discussion and open voting system, children elected their leaders.
🎖️ Congratulations to Dixita – elected President, and Anuj – elected Vice President!
💡 This is how children learn democracy, leadership, and responsibility — by practicing it.

09/08/2025

Children of Dediyapada Shaishav joined others across India in a nationwide initiative to create the National Play Manifesto — a collective reflection led by children themselves. Through their voices and stories, they share what play means to them and how we can protect it, championing its role in building joyful, thriving individuals and communities. This Manifesto will inform grassroots initiatives and policy, offering valuable insight into the minds of children and what’s needed to protect their right to play.

15/07/2025

Sonal grew up in Mafat Nagar, Bhavnagar—an informal settlement where childhood meant hard work. As the eldest in a struggling family, Sonal began making plastic ropes to support her home.

She found opportunity in Balghar, Shaishav’s informal learning space, and courage in Balsena, a children’s collective where she learned about her rights and began speaking out. Her courage led her to share her story of child labour at a national convention in Delhi.

Her voice moved many—including Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, whom she met at Rashtrapati Bhavan as one of five children presenting recommendations to the President.

Sonal later represented India in Brazil at the World Social Forum, proving that even from the margins, children can lead with dignity, strength, and vision.

Today she continues to be an inspiration in her community as a community leader and active Panchayat member, advocating for child rights.

This is the power of believing in children as leaders.

04/06/2025

What does a Balsena Council Meeting look like?
No different from any other council meeting—except that it’s run by children!

On 4th May 2025, Balsena members came together for their monthly Council Meeting—reviewing their past efforts, raising real community concerns like school dropouts and lack of play spaces, and planning ahead with clarity and care. They also discussed the Child Protection Policy, suggesting powerful additions such as mental health support in schools and child-friendly governance.

The meeting also marked the inauguration of our Vacation Camp—a month full of games, film screenings, skill-building workshops, and joyful learning. The camp wrapped up with Purnahuti on 1st June—a vibrant celebration where children showcased their talents, learnings, and the spirit of Balsena in action.

✨ Watch out for more updates from Purnahuti—coming soon!

This is how Balsena nurtures children into informed, responsible, and empathetic leaders.

Address

Block 3, B Wing, Sardar Vallabhai Patel Shopping Center, Sardanagar Circle
Bhavnagar
364001

Website

http://www.shaishavchildrights.org/, http://twitter.com/shaishavgujarat

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