CHILD LABOUR IS A FORM OF GROSS EXPLOITATION AND ABUSE

Amita Kapur has recently taken over as the president of Child Relief and You (CRY), the non organisation which attempts to alleviate the problems of deprived children. She spoke to Osama Manzar on CRY’s objectives
INTERVIEW
HOW WOULD you define the policy framework of CRY? What are Its basic objectives?.
Why the CRY came about was to do something about the fate of’ the neglected children and their soclo-economic situation. Actually, the founder not being a social worker per se— he was more from a corporate side — figured out that the best way to “share their work by way of inputting resources”. Therefore, CRY’s mission is “to enable people to take responsibility for the situation of the deprived Indian child, and so motivate them to confront the situation through collective action, thereby giving the child and themselves an opportunity to realise their full potential”.
Do you think that the mission has been fruitful? Have you had real success?
Yes, we have been successfully meeting this objective and in a span of 15 years we have created enough awareness about the situation of underprivileged children in India and have really harnessed public commitment and support for them. In fact, I have a firm belief in every human being and there is no human being who does not want to help the needy. It is, however, a matter of striking the right chord of a potential supporter. Moreover, whatever support we have got, has already been channelised towards providing comprehensive support to development initiatives with socially, economically, politically, physically deprived Indian children and women within their communities.
What Is the modus operandl of CRY?
CRY works with the philosophy of partnership based on equality, mutual trust and respect. This close interaction has helped us to give need-based support to the project. We do not run our own project. Instead, we provide support to small struggling and medium community development organisations, in cities, villages and tribal areas, working with the focus on vulnerable children and women. For us, vulnerable children include girl children, child prostitutes, street children, bonded labourers and other working children, prostitutes’ children, disaster victims, children in remand homes, tribal and schedule caste children, physicaffy and mentally disabled children and juvenile delinquents.
Are you planning anything special on the occasion of 15th anniversary of CRY?
As Rippan Kapur, founder of CRY, died early this year, we have launched the ‘CRY — Rippan Kapur Fellowship Programme’ recently. This is to support capable and committed individuals who would like to work with underprivileged children. CRY will provide them with a monthly stipend to take care of their economic needs, that will allow them to work on their ideas; commit themselves to work for children and take up development as a career. Also, starting January 1995, we will be conducting ‘Art for CRY — 1995’; an exhibition and sale of the finest contemporary Indian art.
Most voluntary organisations work in cwing the situation rather than preventing It. What according to you is the better option?
For that matter, we are initiating and joining various networks of like-minded individuals and organisations to come together and fight for the rights of children. And, we believe “education” is the key — CRY’s main focus. As a matter of fact, 46.6 percent of the support goes in the area of “education”.
What Is your stand on child labour?
It is a form of gross exploitation and abuse. CRY places such children in the category of the “most vulnerable of vulnerables” in relation to deprived/underprivileged children. We do plan to tackle this issue by supporting projects working on child labour, by lobbying for policy changes and law enforcement on this issue and by spreading awareness in the media,
Where is the certainty that the funds reach the right target — the children?
CRY Interacts closely with the projects/fellows being supported, by regular field visits, project/fellow partner meetings, etc.
How is CRY situated financially?
CRY is not rich and can never be “rich enough” as long as millions of children live in such inhuman conditions. Our work is never over until every child gets his basic right. There are over 111 million child labourers in India, we have touched only 6,21,568 children through 121 projects. The fund disbursed, however, is Rs 5.28 crore. So far, 40,000 donors have supported CRY, through funds, materials, skills and time, This year’s budget is .Rs 2.80 crore and we spend only 10 per cent on infrastructure and maintenance.
How do you raise funds?
By selling CRY products, like calendars, greeting cards and donations for education sponsorship scheme (ESS). There are nearly 40,000 donors, giving CRY support. Fifty per cent of CRY’s financial support is currently being rendered to projects in the urban areas and the balance 50 per cent to the rural areas.
Do you also get foreign funds?
Only for specific requirements. From next year, foreign funding will not exceed 5 per cent of CRY’s income, so that CRY can tap the vast potential in India and make Indians take responsibility for Indian children.
Do you get support from the Government?
No, not any direct funding from the Government. The Government, however, has recognised CRY’s work and has given us certain exemptions.
How would you like to recall your founder Rippan Kapur?
Rippan always used to say, in difficult times: “Think of the children, what they are going through and why you are here, and your work will become so much easier.”