CHILDLINE SE DOSTI

The NGO Committed Communities Development Trust (CCDT) which runs the Childline program in Mumbai from Dahisar to Andheri as part of their “Child Rights Week” celebration participated with the children of Bosco Boys Home on 22^th of November, 2018 in the programme called “Childline se Dosti.”

Childline (dial 1098), is a 24 hour toll free national emergency phone outreach service committed to responding to children in need of care and protection. Childline reaches out to any child who has been deprived of his or her right to a safe childhood. As part of the Children Day festivity, the group kept “Child Rights Week” from 14^th to the 21^th of November with an aim to meet different stake holders, allied systems and civilians and making them aware about Childline services and sensitize them towards child protection issues. As part of this initiative, they conducted a “Childline se Dosti” programme for the boys of Bosco Boys Home. Fr. Corlis Gonsalves the Director of Boso Boys Home welcomed this noble act and praised them for their helpful gesture towards the society.

The boys were introduced to the staff of the Childline by Dn. Romero D’Souza the Perfect of Studies and he explained to them about the good works done by the Childline. The resource person for the programme was Ms. Pratibha Yadav, the coordinator from the CCDT. She took a session for the boys on the issues related to the safety of children and explained in detail the help provided to the children through various aided organisations. She also informed the children about Childline. She said, “Any child in distress or a concerned adult can dial 1098- a toll free number to access the services of Childline.” The childline had brought along with them few children from the slums of Borivali. These children interacted with the boys sharing with each other interesting stories of their lives.

Datta Gade, from Bosco Boys Home, the staff handling the social work department explained to the boys about the beginning of Childline. “Ms. Jeroo Billimoria was the one who launched Childline, our country’s first attempt at making street children’s quick access to supports, such as police assistance and health care, as easy as dialling a number. Manned by street children themselves, Childline combines 24- hour emergency telephone services with follow-up support to alleviate their distress.”

Karan Wagela one of the boys from Bosco Boys Home shared, “This is a good initiative taken by Childline to help children like us from the streets whom have no one to care for. May God bless them for their kindness shown towards us.”