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Children's Helpline (Makkala Sahaya Vani):
A successful experiment in
intervention
While working with
children, the Concerned for Working Children felt that children need help and proper
guidance, especially during crisis situations, and should be able to immediately establish
contact with somebody who lives close to them and whom they trust.
It was to fulfil this objective that the post of
a Children's Ombudsman, Makkala Mitra was created in the five panchayats in Kundapura
taluk, Udipi district,in Hadagali Panchayat and Harappanahalli taluk in Bellary and
Davanagere districts respectively, as well as in Sirsi taluk in North Kanara district.
Makkala Mitras are selected from among those who
live in the same Panchayat. They are chosen on the basis of their sensitivity to
children's needs and most importantly, their readiness to help and guide them in times of
crisis and need. They should have a special concern for working children.
Children and community members can contact the
Makkala Mitra for any assistance. Makkala Mitras work in collaboration with the Toofan
Task Force. Makkala Mitras also ensure that children receive assistance from
government departments or from NGOs if required. Makkala Mitras are regularly informed
about the problems faced by children of the Panchayat.
In this connection, one of the interventions made
in Belve Panchayat recently is an inspiring example.
Eleven-year-old
Geetha, was taken away from Belve
Panchayat, Udipi District by a relative to work as a domestic help in Bangalore. Her
family had been assured that she would also be sent to school there. Four years later she
returned to her village. It was immediately evident that she was traumatised and had
been abused and beaten. She had probably been taken to a hospital, but it was not
clear because she could not give a coherent explanation about her bad experience. Her
employers had sent her back without the full salary for her four years of work.
In Belve, one of her friends, Susheela who had
read about children helping other children in distress in Bhima Patrike(a wall magazine
brought out by CWC for working children) brought this to the notice of Makkala Mitra(an
adult member of the panchayat who has been selected by children to help them in times of
distress in CWC's Programme areas in Udipi, North Kanara and Bellary Districts). She
said her friends too were inspired by the information in Bhima Patrike to help other
children who were in difficult circumstances.
Makkala Mitra of Belve, Mr. Prabhakar Naik, got
involved immediately. He was actively supported by Makkala Panchayat(Children's Councils)
and Bhima Sangha(a union of, by and for working children). Initially, Geetha's family was
reluctant to take up the issue. Thanks to the initiatives of Bhima Sangha, they agreed to
do so after much convincing and assurance.
Geetha's father, backed by the field volunteers,
sought his daughter's wages back from her ex-employer, Mr. Akasha Rao who owed the child
Rs. 6,000. Bhima Sangha demanded an additional Rs. 20,000 for the girl as compensation for
the abuse she had been subjected to at her work place.
They collectively decided that Makkala Sahaya
Vani(MSV, a Community Collective-to protect children and their rights. The coordinating
office can be accessed through a Toll Free Telephone helpline for children in difficult
circumstances. This office is located in the office premises of the Commissioner of
Police, Bangalore) be contacted to assist the case.
Meanwhile, MSV contacted the police who fetched
Mr. Rao to the office of the Police Commissioner for questioning. Alarmed by the
unexpected turn of events, Mr. Rao sent his wife to Makkala Mitra, Belve seeking a
compromise. She spent five days trying to persuade Mr.Naik to relent. But he
insisted that all further discussions should take place only with Makkala
Panchayat.
On August 21, the Deputy Commissioner of Police
(Crime) had a discussion with the parties concerned. Geetha came to Bangalore. She
said that she had nothing to fear and she was very forthcoming in her statement. In
her statement to the nodal officer, she confirmed the harassment meted out to her.
Unable to counter evidence provided by Geetha, Akasha Rao was compelled to pay Geetha a
compensation.
MSV staff went to Mr. Akasha Rao's residence and
found out that the man was in a penurious state and clearly would find it difficult to pay
the compensation amount demanded of him. Finally Geetha's family and community members
proposed that he pay Rs.4.000.
Though Mr. Rao was reluctant to part with this
amount, his relatives, who were members of Belve Panchayat threatened that they would not
back him in any way. The matter was finally settled with Mr.Rao agreeing to hand over the
amount in two instalments.
Makkala Panchayat and Makkala Mitra, together
with members of Belve Panchayat and MSV are now awaiting the first instalment. Her
father accepted the recommendation of his Panchayat that the compensation amount should be
used to provide for Geetha's education. Geetha is now safe at home.
More information on children's
protagonism
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