Illegal/informal adoptions, which do not go through the legal process, are quite common in many places in India. Much of this is due to a lack of understanding about the formal process. Also, very often relinquishing parents abandon their unwanted children simply because they are ignorant about the existence of a formal adoption process. The creation of awareness about adoptions therefore, in addition to addressing the information needs of those who are keen to adopt, must also, address the general public.
CSA conduct Awareness Workshops at the District levels with the objective of informing the general public. Anganwadi workers and other officials at the District level including the Government, Judiciary, Police and the Media are the target audience for such workshops. CSA also, participates in public events such as the Marathon runs organized in leading metros in the country.
Promotional Advertisements/outdoor hoardings are used extensively to reach out to prospective parents particularly in metro cities.
Awareness Workshops (2008-09)
CSA conduct awareness workshops for the grassroot workers at the District level. The objective is to spread the adoption message across all stakeholders-government officials, judiciary, anganwadi workers, police and health centres. CSA hope that through such workshops, not only will the concerned officials/workers be more informed, but also, illegal adoptions and the abandonment/killing of babies may be checked. The programmes conducted in the year 2008-09 are as under:
District Level Awareness Programme on “ Promotion of in-country Adoption” in Kalahandi, Orissa
The KBK (Kalahandi, Bolangir & Koraput) districts of Orissa are widely known for the acute poverty that prevails there; a majority of the population lives far below the poverty line. Particularly, Kalahandi, is dis-reputed for the sale of children by starving parents; frequent newspaper reports bear testimony to the fact.
A one-day Sensitization Workshop on promotion of legal adoption, was organized by the Nehru Seva Sangh with CSA support on the 26th July 2008. 34 participants, representing a cross-section of stakeholders- Child Welfare Committee(CWC) members, Adoption workers, Orphanage Heads, Advocates, Social Activists, District Social Welfare Officer, Police Officers, Journalists, grassroots level Social Workers , attended the programme.
District Level Awareness Programme on “Rehabilitation of Orphan children and adoption” in Kendrapara,Orissa.
An Awareness programme was organized by Pallishree Mahila Samiti, Korua, Kendrapada jointly with CSA on the 28th January 2009. 5 Blocks of Kendrapada district- Garadpur, Marsaghai, Derabisi, Kendrapada (Municipality) and Mahakalpada were covered. Participants included ICDS workers from each block, ASA (Grassroots level health workers) from each PHC, Active Self help Groups (Women leaders), Active NGO representatives and the Media.
District Level Awareness Programme on “Rehabilitation of Destitute children and adoption” in Angul, Orissa
An Awareness programme was organized by Maharshi Dayanand Service Mission, Angul jointly with CSA on the 28th February 2009. 8 Blocks of Angul district- Angul, Banarpal, Talcher, Kaniha, Pallahara, Chhendipada, Athhamallik, Kishorenagar were covered. Participants included ICDS workers and Supervisors from each block, ASA (Grassroots level health workers), Active Self help Groups (Women leaders), Active NGO representatives and the Media.
Advertisement/outdoor hoardings
Hoardings have played a key role in our campaign to announce the availability of children. We put up hoardings in Kolkatta and Mumbai. The response has been very encouraging.
Events
CSA participate in public Charity raising events, many of which are used to both, to create awareness and to generate funds. CSA’s participation during the year 2008-09 is as under:
Vodafone (Pune) Marathon
CSA participated in the Pune International Marathon, organized by Vodafone on the 7th Dec 2008. Approximately 40 CSA volunteers/Kale employees ran a distance of 4.5 Km from the Deccan area up to the Nehru Stadium carrying attractive banners and placards conveying the adoption message.
Stanchart (Mumbai) Marathon
CSA participated in the Mumbai Marathon organized By Standard Chartered Bank with United Way as their organizing partners. About 100 volunteers ran for the CSA cause. CSA received Rs 10 lakhs through pledges raised by The Dream runners who ran 8 kms. ICICI Lombard, WWIL, Kale Consultants Ltd., are some of the Corporates that made pledges. Several individuals too, raised funds for CSA.
Balmelava
The Women and Child Development Department, Government of Maharashtra, organized ‘Balmelava’ for the children from different observation homes in Pune district .The event was held at The Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Udyog Kendra. Yerwada, Pune from the 28th to 30th Nov 2008. Nearly 3000 children participated in this event. Prize distribution was done by Ms. Leena Mehendale, Chairperson of Child Right Commission. CSA donated the trophies for the event.
