Himanshi Maratha, Dehradun, Uttarakhand
Since childhood, my heart has been beating to help others. But this heartbeat turned into action when it found a platform. I was in eighth grade. With support from TDH, HESCO formed a Green Club for children in my village. I joined the group and learnt to speak fearlessly without hesitation.
The Child Participation Workshop held in Delhi in 2015 completely transformed my thinking. In 2017, I became a member of the Youth Group and started working on small but important issues in the village like water, forest, and land. Gradually, group members recognized me as a leader.
In 2018, I was selected for the Ashoka Fellowship, which further boosted my confidence. In 2023, I joined the Uttarakhand Youth Network and reached the Youth for Social Action platform. Here, I had the opportunity to connect with like-minded youth from around the world. The impact of my efforts is clearly visible on the children in the village. They too are learning to understand the issues around them and speak up for themselves and their communities.
I believe that if I can do so much while living in a small village, other young people can too, and our efforts can bring about a big change in society. My journey continues—towards new platforms, new opportunities, and building a brighter future.
(TERRE DES HOMMES works to protect the health, hygiene, education, safety, justice, and dignity of children. Through its initiatives, the organisation has improved the lives of many children. As it marks 50 years of supporting children’s rights in India, the above case story reflects the meaningful change its work has created.)
