India NGO Awards 2007—Profiles of the Finalists
Regional Finalists—Category: Large
CRY (Joint Awardee—West)
CRY’s can be best described as an enabling organisation , a catalyst between two groups of people—development organisations and individuals working at grassroots—level with marginalised children, their families and communities and individuals, coming together from all walks of life who believe in the rights of children.
CRY’s emphasis is on supporting small, nascent initiatives. Over time, as each grows and achieves stability the nature and quantum of the support provided evolves. At the other end of the spectrum, the Rippan Kapur CRY Fellowship Programme (introduced in memory of the late founder) seeks to enable motivated individuals starting a career in grassroots development work to make a beginning.
In almost three decades, CRY has enabled more than 2500 communities across 18 states in India to work towards addressing the root causes of issues like deprivation, adult unemployment, exploitation and abuse—that constrain the rights of children. By mobilising these communities CRY along with its NGO partners (more than 500) have ensured over 1,500,000 children across India with opportunities they could not dream of.
Centre for Environment Education (CEE) (Joint Awardee—West)
CEE’s primary objective is to improve public awareness and understanding of the environment with a view to promoting the conservation and sustainable use of nature and natural resources, leading to a better environment and a better quality of life.
To this end, CEE develops innovative programmes and educational material, and builds capacity in the field of education for sustainable development (ESD). To test the validity and effectiveness of its programmes and material, CEE undertakes demonstration projects in education, communication and development that endorse attitudes, strategies and technologies which are environmentally sustainable. CEE is committed to ensuring that due recognition is given to the role of education in the promotion of sustainable development. Since its inception, CEE’s activities and programmes have been rooted in, and guided by, certain strategies for maximisation of quality, effectiveness and impact.
BISWA
BISWA started operations in 1994, focusing on integrated development services to the rural poor in Sambalpur district in Orissa. It is registered as a society and is one of the largest NGOs operating in Orissa. BISWA has undertaken various developmental programmes in segments like watershed development, sanitation, education, health, environment and social issues awareness creation among rural communities.
All BISWA’s programmes are converged into each other to elicit maximum desirable outcomes and sustainability with the ultimate aim for a holistic development of society. The community is a direct stakeholder in all its project as their participation is in the decision making level.
Aide et Action (South)
Aide et Action (AeA), an international development organization established in 1981, has been working in the education sector focusing on creating access to children from disadvantaged communities for the past twenty five years in India. Support to families andchildren to participate in education process, enhancing quality ofeducation infrastructure and capacities ofteachers and other support functions have been some of major investments that AeA has made for many years through its work directly and with the partner NGOs in India. Creating child friendly education spaces outside school has also been one creative and innovative way of addressing holistic education and has been accomplished through innovative action research project titled ‘Liberate school’. Similarly linking education with livelihoods is another trajectory that fulfills the needs of the future generations. Inclusive education to meet the needs of children with disabilities is yet another strategy that addresses issues of education access of the excluded communities. AeA has had operations spread over 12 states and 3 Union Territories in India in partnership with Civil Society Organizations and through directly implemented projects.
SOS Children’s Villages
SOS Children’s Villages of India is a non-profit, non-government, voluntary organization, committed to the care of children in need. The aim and objective of SOS–India is to provide long-term family based care to orphaned children and to strengthen disadvantaged families as a preventive measure against abandonment and social neglect of children.
Since its inception in 1964, SOS–India has expanded its services for children at a rapid pace. Today it reaches out to many thousands of children &families every day, through 39 Children’s Villages including facilities for Tibetan children and 122 allied & community projects like Family Strengthening Program, Kindergartens, Hermann Gmeiner Schools, Social, Medical, Vocational Training Centres & Nursing School which are spread across the country. We work in the spirit of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
SOS Children’s Villages of India is a member of the world wide SOS family working in 132 countries with SOS–Kinderdorf International as the umbrella organization.
Go to the SOS Children’s Villages Web site
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