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Meerut CHILDLINE

Contact data:

Janhit Foundation
180/7. Shastri Nagar
Meerut-250004
U.P.
India
Tel: 0121-4004123, 2760431
Fax: 0121-2763418
Email: suruchi.childline@gmail.com
Website: www.janhitfoundation.in

Year established:

1998 

No. Staff:

30

Main contact:

Suruchi Gupta (suruchi.childline@gmail.com)

Membership No:

3600

Organisation aims and activities: To provide 24 hour service to children when ill and alone, in need of shelter, abandoned or lost, suffering abuse, being denied his/her wage or being bullied on the streets.

Further details:

Janhit Foundation is an independent, not-for-profit non-governmental organization, actively engaged in the promotion of human welfare through environmental protection since 1998.
Key areas of work include:
- Groundwater quality protection for human health.
- Provision of safe drinking water to marginalized communities.
- Protection of river water quality for aquatic ecosystems.
- Enhancement of available water resources through water conservation measures.
- Promotion of sustainable agriculture by organic farming methods.
- Environmental education and empowerment of local communities.

Janhit Foundation undertakes this work through scientific research, campaigns, advocacy and grass-root level community involvement.
As a public interest organisation, Janhit Foundation focuses on strengthening local communities through their active participation in decision making, to achieve sustainable development. We believe that environmental degradation can only be addressed adequately if local people are empowered in decision making at all levels and have control over resources.

A major achievement of the year has been the initiation of the Meerut CHILDLINE, a toll-free emergency service, in April 2007 through which the organisation can reach the deprived and needy children and provide them support. This is a project supported by the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development, linking state Governments, NGOs, bilateral /multilateral agencies and corporate sector. CIF, the nodal agency is responsible for the establishment of CHILDLINE centres across the country. CIF also functions as a national centre for awareness, advocacy and training on issues related to child protection. Janhit Foundation has been appointed as the collaborative organisation to run the service in Meerut.

Introduction to Meerut CHILDLINE

CHILDLINE is India’s first 24-hour, toll-free, emergency phone outreach service for children in need of care and protection, linking them to long-term services for their care and rehabilitation. Any child and concerned adult can call 1098 and access the CHILDLINE service anytime of the day or night.

Who we are?

CHILDLINE operates in 79 cities within the country, with Meerut being the 73rd city running the service. August 2007 marks the beginning of the service in the city. Janhit Foundation has shared the responsibility of running the CHILDLINE service in Meerut. It is a 24 hours emergency toll-free service under the Ministry of Women and Child welfare (Govt. of India). The service focuses on the children in distress such as street children, children who have fled from their homes alongwith those in a situation of physical, mental and emotional abuse. Apart from it, the service also caters to the need of children forced into illegal and hazardous activities etc. On dialing 1098, the child or an adult on his behalf, can get access to various services that are required by them.

We work with a child-based approach in which children themselves are active and leading participants in their own development.

Vision

Meerut CHILDLINE'S vision is a child friendly nation where children are looked upon as the future and every child is ensured of his/her right to a childhood.

Mission
Meerut CHILDLINE aims at responding to the emergency needs of every child in need of care and protection throughout Meerut district, enduring that there is an integrated effort between the government, non-governmental organisations, academic institutions, bilateral agencies, corporates and the community in protecting the rights of children.

Recognition from the Government of India….

CHILDLINE is India’s first national level response to the ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). Additionally, the CHILDLINE 1098 service receives special mention in the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Act 2000.


Our Children

Meerut CHILDLINE works with the marginalized and excluded children in Meerut district. These include:

Street Children, Child Labourers , Abused Children, Victims of the , Flesh Trade, Differently abled children, Child addicts, Children in conflict with the law, Children in institutions, Mentally ill children, Children affected by HIV/AIDS, Children affected by conflicts and disasters, Child political refugees, Children whose families are in crisis.

What do we do?

§ Reach out to every child in need of care and protection by responding to emergencies on 1098

§ Ensure access of telecom technology to the most marginalized in urban as well as rural areas and connectivity of 1098 through the government telephone exchange as well as private telephone exchanges

§ Work together with the allied systems to create child friendly systems

§ Advocate for services for children that are inaccessible, non existent or inadequate

§ Strive for excellence in quality service to children in need of special care and protection and ensure that the best interests of the child are secured

§ Provide a platform of networking amongst organizations and provide linkages to support systems which facilitate the rehabilitation of children in need of care and protection

§ Learn from the experiences of CHILDLINE and the data generated and jointly determine strategies to reach out more effectively to children

How we work?

§ Child/concerned adult contacts CHILDLINE by dialing 1098 or coming directly to the phone receiving center.
§ The CHILDLINE team receives and responds to the calls.
§ In response to the call either direct assistance is provided or emotional support and guidance is provided over the phone.
§ In case of long term rehabilitation other agencies providing specialized services are contacted.
§ The parents of the child are contacted and involved.
§ A volunteer base is formed for the long term follow up of the children.



Annual Activities
The following activities were conducted by Meerut CHILDLINE during this year :
Open House : An open house is organised every month by Meerut CHILDLINE to spread awareness about the toll-free service and involve the local communities to come forward and and take initiatives to secure the rights of the deprived children. The open house has been organised by the service at various locations in the city including the railway stations and the bus stands etc. The general activities conducted in an open house include singing songs, skits explaining the service, playing the 1098 theme song etc, all done by the street children.
Canopy : A canopy is put up at various places, again, to spread awareness about the service. The team members display pamphlets, brochures, posters etc. for the purpose of dissemination. They also talk to the slum children who visit the canopy and guide them about the usage of the service. The canopy is set at regular intervals at places which attract a lot of public like the city railway station, medical college etc.
Health Checkups : Health checkups are also organised by the team on regular intervals to keep track of the health status of the children staying in the slum. The doctors visiting the slum conduct free health checkups for the children. Timely vaccinations for polio, Tuberculosis etc. are provided to the children below the age of 14 years. The children are also encouraged to maintain proper sanitation and cleanliness.
Vocational trainings : An extra effort has been made by the Meerut CHILDLINE team to conduct vocational trainings for the slum children in order to generate prospects for them to earn a living. The team is in the process to initiate sewing classes for poor girls. It also envisages conducting computer classes for the slum children. The team members, responsible for managing the gyanashram, also teach varied skills to the children like candle making, card making etc.
Outreach : The CHILDLINE team conducts outreach throughout the city and creates awareness about the toll-free service. Special emphasis is laid on contacting all the phone booth owners and informing them about the service, so that they contribute in the success of the service by disseminating the information further and allow the children in need to use the service without charging anything from them.
Cultural Upgradation : The slum students are also involved in various cultural events during the celebrations held at the gyanashram on the national holidays. During 1 year of its existence, the team members have celebrated all the important events in the slum thereby imbibing in them our culture and making them aware about the important days celebrated across the country.
Organising Interactive Meetings : Regular meetings are organised by Meerut CHILDLINE to reach out to individuals and institutions who often come in contact with children. It has organised meetings with the railway staff and professionals at the City railway station, Child right activists, Police professionals etc. A meeting was also organised on 17th of January for the initiation of the CHILDLINE Advisory Board (CAB) in Meerut. The team looks forward to conduct meetings with the child specialist doctors and PCO owners in the near future to seek for their cooperation and inform them about the service.
CHILDLINE in action…

Handcuffing Children: Child Rights Violation Case in Meerut

In a rare case of gross violation of Child’s Rights, Janhit Foundation made a strong intervention by knocking the doors of the Hon’ble Supreme court of India. It all happened that four children were picked from Ghaziabad district with charges of stealing. They were severely beaten, handcuffed and were being produced in the Meerut courts bleeding badly. Taking note of the media reports, the organization approached the Court for justice. The policemen responsible for this inhuman and illegal act were suspended once the Public Interest Litigation was accepted by the Hon’ble Court. The PIL is still with the Apex Court.

Case of missing child :

Case 1: Ram Singh, 10 years

10-year old Ram Singh was found missing since 11.06.2007. The Meerut CHILDLINE team found him working at a tea stall 6days later. He was abused and ill treated by the shop owner. Due to the efforts made by the CHILDLINE team, he was then reunited with his parents.
When he was interviewed by the CHILDLINE team , he revealed that he and his mother were beaten by his dad very often, and that his father was a drunkard. It was a case of domestic violence. Ram Singh was provided with counseling by the CHILDLINE as a result of which he is studying properly at present and is absolutely fine. Meerut CHILDLINE conducts follow up on Ram Singh at regular intervals.

Case of medical assistance:

Case1: Student of Shri Kishan Lal Angoori Devi School

A student of a school named Shri Kishan Lal Angoori Devi School in Madhavpuram; Meerut was suffering from a serious physical problem. She didn’t have her upper lip since birth, owing to which she was living a very difficult life. Everybody used to laugh at her. Janhit Foundation came to know about this girl. The organization then decided to provide aid to this girl and got her lip cured through plastic surgery and provided all the other medicinal support. All the expenses were incurred by the organization. And today, she is living a happy and normal life.

Case2: water problem of children residing in Jaibheem Nagar

The strong population of 10,000 people in Jaibheem Nagar (JBN) is forced to lead a life full of miseries since they are denied the human right to water. Children especially young girls were the worst sufferers as they had to cover a tiresome journey of 2-2.5 kms everyday to fetch safe drinking water for their families and themselves. This was to a total ignorance of their studies and freedom. The organization took up the problem and wrote letters to the District Magistrate, Meerut; Nagar Ayukt, Nagar Nigam, Meerut and other authorities concerned to apprise them with the pitiful condition of the residents of the Jaibheem Nagar especially the children.
It was then that due to Janhit Foundation’s intervention, a project worth Rs. 2 Crores has been sent to the State Government in Lucknow for approval. The local MLA of Meerut also raised a question in the U.P. Vidhan Sabha to take care of the issue of Jaibheem Nagar people. Also the engineers of Nagar Nigam and Jal Nigam have started the preliminary work of the installation of the pipelines and have also selected the site where the overhead water tank would be constructed.

Case of Juvenile Home :

A few people of Janhit foundation visited the Juvenile at Mansarover. The condition there was found to be very unpleasant as 107 children were left to adjust in just three rooms with two toilets in all. They were forced to live a very miserable and unbearable life. Roshann Jone from CIF, Mumbai also visited the place after a few days. It was then that an action was taken. The organisation wrote a letter to the National Human Rights Commission (N.H.R.C.) and also filed a petition in the Hon’ble Court which is still in consideration. It became a media issue as a result of which, the jail has now been shifted near Jail Chungi crossing with a bigger space and the children there, are now in a better condition.

Case of restoring Right to Education:

Case 1: 10 children admitted into school

Atul Kumar s/o Rajkumar, ankit Kumar s/o Ram Singh, Annu d/o Rajesh Kumar, Amit Kumar s/o Santosh Kumar, Sonu Kumar s/o Ram karan Singh, Manju d/o Sonu, Saroj d/o Kamlesh, Ravi Kumar and Chotu Kumar s/o Sonu Kumar are the children who have been admitted to Ambedkar school as their parents are unable to afford the school fee.

Case of burnt child

CHILDLINE came across an example of a child right violation in the form of a child named Rahsid who was severely burnt by some miscreants in 2006. the child was taken to a government hospital for medical assistance. The organization brought this matter of violation of child’s right to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). After the intervention by the NHRC, the child could be provided proper medical aid.

Case of Repatriation

Case 1: Provided shelter to a dumb-mute child-

Meerut CHILDLINE came across an article in the local daily newspaper, Amar Ujala (Dated 20 Feb 2008) which mentioned about a child who was deprived of the power of hearing or speaking. The child had been staying at the Lala Lajpat Rai Medical College for almost 6-7 months. The CHILDLINE team members, Sanjeev and Sangeeta, visited the medical college and met the Senior Superintendent S.K Jain and told him about this child and that the he had met with an accident some 6 to 7 months back and was found in an injured state and thereby brought to the medical college by some worker of the college itself. At present the child is in a better state. Meerut CHILDLINE released a news in the local newspapers about the child’s wellbeing and whereabouts however no response was received and nobody turned up to take him along. So we decided to send him to an orphanage. The team approached many orphanages within the city. However, not even a single one extended any help. A nun from the Prem Niwas orphanage requested that only if the DM approves in writing they could keep the child with them. Considering the need of the situation, the team coordinator, Suruchi Gupta and the Para professional, Sanjeev Kumar approached the DM and told him about the child. The DM cooperated with us and gave a written consent asking Prem Nivas to take over the child’s responsibility. The child could be safely handed over to a respectable and trustworthy orphanage where is future security could be assured.
The Year’s Stalwart : Gyanashram Comes Up

A team of Janhit Foundation visited two slums in Shastri Nagar locality in the month of July to ascertain the conditions prevailing in that area. When the team enquired about the children living there, they concluded that most of the children do not attend school and those who attended were in lower grades as compared to their age. Their living standard was pitiful and they were completely unaware about general knowledge. Their basic educational needs could not be met since they belonged to the lower strata of the society and their poor parents could not afford to send them to schools. The children were being deprived of the basic right to education.

Taking care of the poor deprived children of the two slums , Meerut CHILDLINE team initiated two informal schools this year for the children of the marginalized groups. Named Gyan Ashram (School for knowledge), these informal schools take care of about 100 children, who are mainly dropouts.

Janhit Foundation has come forward via constructing a bamboo hut in order to provide a classroom where the slum children are taught daily. Another hut is being planned for construction in the other slum.

The organization’s two staff members regularly teach these children about the culture of our country, environmental issues, Indian National Movement, hygiene and sanitation, first aid, General knowledge and related issues through interesting modes and games. About a dozen dropout children have been enrolled in a local school with people’s participation thus providing them the opportunity to avail their right to education. Health camps are regularly organized in these slums and a centre has been opened by the local Anganwadi to provide midday meals to the children. Vocational training is also being imparted to these children by the staff of the organisation. The girl child (specifically amongst the marginalized groups) is generally denied any kind of training or education. Janhit as well as Meerut CHILDLINE encourage the empowerment of the girl child and therefore as a part of the vocational courses the girl students from the slum are provided with tailoring classes. Other activities like candle making and card making for commercial purposes is also imparted to the children.

The staff does not miss an opportunity to provide knowledge to the children about the national festivals. All the festivals are celebrated with the children and also by the children.

Tremendous response has been received by the organisation for initiating this innovative activity from various stakeholders. To give an example, doctors have volunteered themselves to conduct regular checkups for these children. The Inner wheel Club of Meerut has come forward to donate floor mats and a blackboard for the children along with stationery. Mr. Sanjeev Kumar (Para Professional) and two team members of Meerut CHILDLINE regularly visit the slum daily and teach the children.

With the efforts of Meerut CHILDLINE, an Anganwaadi Kendra has also started in the same locality where the children of the age group 3-6 are taught as well as provided with mid-day meal.


A few people of Janhit foundation visited the Juvenile at Mansarover. The condition there was found to be very unpleasant as 107 children were left to adjust in just three rooms with two toilets in all. They were forced to live a very miserable and unbearable life. Roshann Jone from CIF, Mumbai also visited the place after a few days. It was then that an action was taken. The organisation wrote a letter to the National Human Rights Commission (N.H.R.C.) and also filed a petition in the Hon’ble Court which is still in consideration. It became a media issue as a result of which, the jail has now been shifted near Jail Chungi crossing with a bigger space and the children there, are now in a better condition.Atul Kumar s/o Rajkumar, ankit Kumar s/o Ram Singh, Annu d/o Rajesh Kumar, Amit Kumar s/o Santosh Kumar, Sonu Kumar s/o Ram karan Singh, Manju d/o Sonu, Saroj d/o Kamlesh, Ravi Kumar and Chotu Kumar s/o Sonu Kumar are the children who have been admitted to Ambedkar school as their parents are unable to afford the school fee.CHILDLINE came across an example of a child right violation in the form of a child named Rahsid who was severely burnt by some miscreants in 2006. the child was taken to a government hospital for medical assistance. The organization brought this matter of violation of child’s right to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). After the intervention by the NHRC, the child could be provided proper medical aid.Meerut CHILDLINE came across an article in the local daily newspaper, Amar Ujala (Dated 20 Feb 2008) which mentioned about a child who was deprived of the power of hearing or speaking. The child had been staying at the Lala Lajpat Rai Medical College for almost 6-7 months. The CHILDLINE team members, Sanjeev and Sangeeta, visited the medical college and met the Senior Superintendent S.K Jain and told him about this child and that the he had met with an accident some 6 to 7 months back and was found in an injured state and thereby brought to the medical college by some worker of the college itself. At present the child is in a better state. Meerut CHILDLINE released a news in the local newspapers about the child’s wellbeing and whereabouts however no response was received and nobody turned up to take him along. So we decided to send him to an orphanage. The team approached many orphanages within the city. However, not even a single one extended any help. A nun from the Prem Niwas orphanage requested that only if the DM approves in writing they could keep the child with them. Considering the need of the situation, the team coordinator, Suruchi Gupta and the Para professional, Sanjeev Kumar approached the DM and told him about the child. The DM cooperated with us and gave a written consent asking Prem Nivas to take over the child’s responsibility. The child could be safely handed over to a respectable and trustworthy orphanage where is future security could be assured.A few people of Janhit foundation visited the Juvenile at Mansarover. The condition there was found to be very unpleasant as 107 children were left to adjust in just three rooms with two toilets in all. They were forced to live a very miserable and unbearable life. Roshann Jone from CIF, Mumbai also visited the place after a few days. It was then that an action was taken. The organisation wrote a letter to the National Human Rights Commission (N.H.R.C.) and also filed a petition in the Hon’ble Court which is still in consideration. It became a media issue as a result of which, the jail has now been shifted near Jail Chungi crossing with a bigger space and the children there, are now in a better condition.Atul Kumar s/o Rajkumar, ankit Kumar s/o Ram Singh, Annu d/o Rajesh Kumar, Amit Kumar s/o Santosh Kumar, Sonu Kumar s/o Ram karan Singh, Manju d/o Sonu, Saroj d/o Kamlesh, Ravi Kumar and Chotu Kumar s/o Sonu Kumar are the children who have been admitted to Ambedkar school as their parents are unable to afford the school fee.CHILDLINE came across an example of a child right violation in the form of a child named Rahsid who was severely burnt by some miscreants in 2006. the child was taken to a government hospital for medical assistance. The organization brought this matter of violation of child’s right to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). After the intervention by the NHRC, the child could be provided proper medical aid.Meerut CHILDLINE came across an article in the local daily newspaper, Amar Ujala (Dated 20 Feb 2008) which mentioned about a child who was deprived of the power of hearing or speaking. The child had been staying at the Lala Lajpat Rai Medical College for almost 6-7 months. The CHILDLINE team members, Sanjeev and Sangeeta, visited the medical college and met the Senior Superintendent S.K Jain and told him about this child and that the he had met with an accident some 6 to 7 months back and was found in an injured state and thereby brought to the medical college by some worker of the college itself. At present the child is in a better state. Meerut CHILDLINE released a news in the local newspapers about the child’s wellbeing and whereabouts however no response was received and nobody turned up to take him along. So we decided to send him to an orphanage. The team approached many orphanages within the city. However, not even a single one extended any help. A nun from the Prem Niwas orphanage requested that only if the DM approves in writing they could keep the child with them. Considering the need of the situation, the team coordinator, Suruchi Gupta and the Para professional, Sanjeev Kumar approached the DM and told him about the child. The DM cooperated with us and gave a written consent asking Prem Nivas to take over the child’s responsibility. The child could be safely handed over to a respectable and trustworthy orphanage where is future security could be assured.

Operational level: National

Works with age groups : Children 0 - 18

Organisation type: NGO - non governmental organisation

Organisation mandate: Provide training or education on child rights, Research child rights, Undertake legal casework on behalf of children, Work directly with children, Work in partnership with organisations, Work with media and press

Areas of expertise: Armed conflict, Child participation, Children and the media, Children living with HIV/AIDS, Children with disabilities, Children working and living on the street, Economic rights, Education and cultural rights, Emergency relief, Environment and habitat, Family and alternative care, Gender and girls, Health and welfare, Implementation, Individual cases of violations, Justice, Refugee and unaccompanied children, Reporting to and monitoring the CRC, Sexual exploitation and abuse, Violence

Countries in which this organisation works: India

Other organisations based in India:

Organisations working in similar fields:

Last updated 07/01/2009 07:53:48

CRIN does not accredit or validate any of the organisations listed in our directory. The views and activities of the listed organisations do not necessarily reflect the views or activities of CRIN's coordination team.