Changeloomers: Youngsters set out with a dream of making world a better place for children

Special Correspondent

NewsBits.in

BHOPAL: Their enthusiasm is infectious and their way of thinking certainly appreciable.

Selected 20 youngsters from remote areas of Harda district have set out with dream to make the world a better place for children, under a project called Changeloomers.

The project of NGO Synergy Sansthan is supported by UNICEF and the fourth edition commenced formally on June 14 with a learning and development workshop in Kesla of Itarsi.

Under the project, the selected youngsters called ‘changeloomers’ are oriented and trained to work on projects of their choice for children of their community.

They work in areas like sanitation, education, health, sports, safety for girls, disability and gender discrimination. Depending upon their talent and choice and the best option for the community, the young people use various forms like music, art, dance and drama as also other methods.

The idea is not only to enthuse and promote children by providing them enabling atmosphere, but also to reach out to communities and even people who make decisions for them.

The latest batch of changeloomers has selected interesting projects. While Sangita Kakodiya and Girija Dhurve – both tribal girls – have selected a project to bust the myths and disabling practices surrounding menstruation, Ravi Raj Rajput of Handiya has set out to provide youngsters with a platform to pursue dreams in armed forces, police, forest or any uniformed services.

Hemlata Mandrai and Toshiba Qureshi, both NSS volunteers are intent on setting up women’s cricket team in Harda district while Janardan Bagdi and Anuj Mahant want to eradicate communal tensions and social evils by using music and songs.

Speaking at the opening of the learning workshop, chief of UNICEF MP office, Michael Juma said the young people have the power, knowledge, innovativeness, creativity and potential to bring about positive change for children. He urged the changeloomers to focus on health and nutrition for children among other issues.

UNCIEF, MP, Nutrition specialist Dr Sameer Pawar spoke about importance of taking care of children in first 1000 days of their life (from foetus stage to two years of age). He explained the various medical complications and their solutions.

Communication specialist of UNICEF, MP, Anil Gulati also interacted with the youngsters.