Child Champions

Children were, are, and will remain at the core of what we do. We will do whatever it takes to ensure that they survive, learn, and thrive.

We, at Bal Raksha Bharat, deeply believe that all children are aware of their needs and have the ability to participate in decision making, and even emerge as leaders. This belief has led us to train and engage young leaders as ‘Child Champions’ to become flag bearers of change in their communities.

From breaking the taboos around menstrual hygiene to promoting education for all, from rapping about social issues to meeting world leaders and demanding action, Child Champions have covered a whole spectrum of issues that impact children and young people.

AMPLIFYING VOICES OF CHILDREN AND YOUNG LEADERS

Anju Rani
- An Ashoka Youth Venturer
- Spoke at TEDx Pune about her venture
- UNV award 2018
Salman
- Addressed various forums including the Global Citizen Festival India, highlighting issued faced by children
- Uses street theatre in slums for mobilisationon concerns of street children
Saleha
- Nominee of the international children’s Peace Prize
- Winner of the Savitri Bai Phule Award
- Conducted 250 sessions on Menstrual Hygiene and Wash
- Goalkeeper 2018

Nisha
- Addressed India Action 2015: Light the Way event at Purana Quila to Promote the Global Development Goals.
- Advocated for Educating girls and equlity at Every Last Child #TheInvisibles Dialogue at the Global Fundraising Forum
Tanuja Khatun
- Awarded by thee Government of West Bengal for her bravery and contribution to girls’ empowerment
- Addressed press meets on the occasion of World Day Against Trafficking in Persons
- Prevented 32 girls and women from being trafficked, faciliated the reunification of 15 trafficked girls and prevented seven early marriages
Anoyara Khatun
- Represent India twiceat UNGA
- Youngest recipient of the Nari Shakti Award
- Sponsored youth delegateat the World Youth Forum to speak during a sessionon Women’s EMpowerment
- Anoyara’s story inspired a filmmaker to capture her journey in a film and inspire many others like her. Bal Raksha Bharat will be the thought partner for the film

bal raksha bharat Approach

Bal Raksha Bharat empowers potential changemakers to further their impact. It ensures children are aware of their rights, provided with trainings and platforms to share and express their views on issues such as right to food, shelter, education, sanitation, protection, urban development, among others. Some of those children have gone on to be selected in leadership programs run by partners like UNICEF’s Yuwaah, Pravah, Ashoka, Dasra etc.

We have mentored 1571 child champions and created 1731 opportunities for them to speak at local, national, or global platforms since 2016. Children who lead their own micro-projects have reached over 2100 children and 14000

Partnering with Children

Bal Raksha Bharat works with numerous children groups and actively engages close to 1,400 Child Champions. The Child Champion campaign uses national and global platforms along with awards like Nari Shakti, UNV Awards, Children Peace Prize, Ashoka Youth Venture, Women Deliver, The Goalkeepers, and UNGA among others to promote its cause.
The Dream Accelarator Project

With the assistance of The Dream Accelerator Project, we focus on deepening engagement with a few shortlisted children. The engagement includes training on rights and leadership skills as well as shortlisting innovative, independent micro-projects for children-led social change for their society, community, and nation.

We have achieved considerable success ever since we embarked on the Child Champion journey

Anoyara was awarded Nari Shakti with Prime Minister
Saleha served as a Goal Keeper with Bill and Melinda Gates
Shalini was at Women Deliver with Sophie Trudeau
Street Child Cricket World Cup Team at Lord’s London
Manisha was present at the UN Office in New York for the Joining Forces Report Launch