Akshay, Giridih, Jharkhand
After completing my tenth grade, I began dreaming about my future. However, my father’s death in 2019 forced me to go away from home, working in hotels in cities like Surat and Hyderabad. One day, while returning home after my intermediate exams, I met staff members of Abhivyakti Foundation. I became a member of the Rani Lakshmi Bai Youth Club and started attending meetings.
I soon joined the Jharkhand Youth Network. Joining the network was like a school for me. State-level trainings instilled confidence in me. I was elected in the Jharkhand Youth Network’s Core Committee. We regularly discussed social and environmental challenges. We organised community meetings and shared our views openly. Initially, we faced resistance. We connected with children, who began to develop their understanding. Children also started participating in our activities.
Later, I had the opportunity to join the national group of Youth for Ecological
Sustainability. I am a member of its Data and Documentation team. I learned about campaigns like Campaign Against Child Labour, Global Action Month, and Voice for Green Earth through YES and TDH. These campaigns and other efforts brought about a significant change in our villages. We enrolled dropout children. Child marriage, child labour, and youth migration has decreased. Farmers are moving towards organic farming. Currently, I am active with my youth club members. I am currently pursuing my graduation and also work as a teacher in a private school.
(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.)
