Vijayawada | September | 27, 2019 :: Save the Children in collaboration with ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition organized TheRight Start Summit on the eve of Save the Children’s celebration of 100 Years at Jyothi Convention Hall, Benz Circle, Vijayawada at 10.30 a.m. The summit brought in 14 young children Changemakers from various social development projects, implemented by Save the Children. Hounrable Chairperson, Andhra Pradesh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, Ms. G. Hymavathi inaugurated the summit as a chief guest while the guest of honours were Dr. Antony Sebastian, Chairperson for Karnataka SCPCR, Mr. P. Suresh, Chairperson for Kerala SCPCR and Ms. Shabnam Siddiqui, Director of United Nations Global Compact Network. Save the Children. Save the Children team members from 6 states (Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, Kerala, Tamilnadu and Karnataka) were also part of the summit.
From 2010-2019, Save the Children (Bal Raksha Bharat) in India, was instrumental in transforming lives of 51.89 lakh children of which 26.43 lakh were girls. As of June 2019, in South India, we have worked in 1049 villages, 52 Blocks, 362 Panchayats, 80 Settlements, 50 Slums, 62 Wards in 24 Districts. From 2010 – June 2019, our work has reached out to 17,32,812 community members directly, of which 8,62,244 are children from the states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Odisha. 551 schools, 1036 Anganwadi Centres are being covered under various projects for the past 5 years.
Hounrable Chairperson, Andhra Pradesh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (APSCPCR), Ms. G Hymavathi said, “The government of Andhra Pradesh is taking every step towards building safety and protective environment for the children and quality education. We are happy to have a partner like Save the Children who has been there to support our vision of leaving no child behind”
Honourable Chairperson, Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, Dr Anthony Sebastian said, “We all are equally responsible to ensure every child gets #TheRightStart. We are with Save the Children, ensuring each child is safe, protected and cared for.”
The Director, UN Global Compact Network, Ms Shabnam Siddiqui said, “I got Goosebumps at the centenary celebration of Save the Children’s event in Vijaywada today, amongst stakeholders of all ages, where children light the lamp. With the fantastic work that STC has done, now the children are saving the World. Children straight-speak needs to be hounoured and supported”
The Director, Resource Mobilization, Save the Children, Ms Yasmin Riaz mentioned, “We are ready to work every hour and every moment to give every last child gets the right start and its possible with great collaboration and partnerships with each other”
General Manager- South India, Save the Children, Mr Vikas Gora, mentioned, “Our focus has been always to ensure the child gets access to her/ his basic rights. It’s been 30 years we have signed UNCRC treaty, yet there are many children who are deprived from their rights. Piecemeal work while dealing with children issues won’t take us any further. Its high time we act together and collaborate with like-minded organizations, Govt. Departments and others for every last child.”
