CHILDREN'S PROGRAMME

Empowering children through recreational activities

In the year 2000, MASUM initiated a programme for empowering children through recreational activities. The programme works with children in the age group of 6 – 12 years in order to promote the values of peace, equality, justice, co-operation and non-discrimination amongst them, to prevent the perpetuation of violence through children and to nurture their dignity so that they learn to value themselves and others.

The para-legal workers conduct weekly sessions with school going children as well as children who have dropped out of school. The para-legal workers have been trained to conduct these sessions with the children. Recreational activities such as stories, games, and songs are used to convey these values to the children. Children are encouraged to express themselves using art and craft and activities are conducted to build children's confidence, improve their skills in verbal communication and break down the caste, class and gender biases. Children are encouraged to drop their inhibitions, mix freely with each other and recognise each others potential. These groups are currently being conducted in 11 villages.