New Delhi | September | 14, 2018 :: Save the Children and Decathlon Dwarka have partnered to raise awareness about street children at a sports festival marking the opening of Decathlon’s retail store in Dwarka, New Delhi. The events lined up for the launch of the new sports store will create a movement for children living in street situations and support the cause through a ‘Cycloride’ on 15 September. Besides this, the 2-day sports festival will comprise of live Yoga workshops, scouting challenge, archery, golf, putting, table tennis, hiking and trekking workshops, freestyle football and trampoline among many other activities.
The festival is expected to be attended by thousands and participants of the Cycloride will cycle for #TheInvisibles, raising funds for and highlighting concerns of over 20 lakh children living on India’s streets.
Pragya Vats, Head of Campaigns, Save the Children said, “All of us would have encountered a child on the street – knocking on our car window, or selling books and toys, or working at a local stall. We see them, yet we don’t, hence making them #TheInvisibles. First step to change is to acknowledge that each one of us have a role and each one of us can make a difference.”
“In our efforts to make children on the streets count, we are happy to associate with Decathlon Dwarka and through this partnership we hope to reach out to the young and active citizens of the country and encourage them to be on the right side of change. Together we can and will do whatever it takes to make #TheInvisibles visible,” she added
Ashwini Rathore, Store Manager, Decathlon Dwarka said, “Decathlon is committed to work with a purpose – while we make sports accessible for many, we also support an identity for all children so that they can access their basic rights of a protected life, education and a healthy living. We represent the spirit of sports and with this spirit, we are happy to partner with Save the Children and contribute towards a positive change in society. To do so, it is important to raise awareness about the issue which is best done by reaching out to the youth who will shape the future of the country.”
Over 20 lakh children live and work on the streets of India and struggle to access basic healthcare, education and sanitation facilities. Save the Children runs programs in the remotest corners of the country and in urban areas to provide quality education and healthcare, protection from harm and abuse and life-saving aid during emergencies to children.
Save the Children works across 20 states of India and in 120 countries, on issues related to education, health, protection and humanitarian/DRR needs of children, especially for those who are the most deprived and marginalized. Save the Children’s s association with India is more than 80 years old. Visit www.savethechildren.in for more information
For further information, contact:
Geeta Lama Geeta.lama@savethechildren.in
