"Its wonderful the way our volunteers take the work as their own"

This is the  third article in the Q  n A series with CACR core team members 

Q: How would you describe the last year 2014 for Ngo CACR?

A: CACR as a team may not have grown exponentially in numbers but has gained tremendously in confidence to face  hurdles and problems in the last year.  We have learnt to identify areas where we can make the most difference,and learnt to be  patience. As patience in large doses is imperative when one needs a behemoth like the MCGM (municipal/public)  school system to change for the better.
  

Getting the MCGM to finally agree to show their school children Children Film Society of India CFSI films through their virtual classroom system was a great reward.

But looking at the smiling faces of the school children in Nityanand  BMC school as they practiced their dance steps under the guidance of the Nalanda Nritya Kala Mahavidyalaya (Nalanda Dance College)  teachers was looking at a miracle; their joy was a limitless. 

Children with Dance trainer from Nalanda Dance College who offer pro bono services to these school children

Everything changes so slowly in fact at times not at all! When you see  you have taken one step forward to ten behind it can be very disheartening, especially to the volunteers who are not yet completely committed. This lack of commitment is what hurts everyone else the most. 

I am fully aware that I am on the fringes of this cause, involved with only the administrative part, yet feel the pain of the volunteers who feel let down at crucial points, when commitments are not met. But we carry on with perseverance and hope.  

  

Q:  What challenges do you see ahead in 2015 for Team CACR and how do you plan to overcome these?

​A: As is apparent we need to build a much stronger structure and ​attract more like minded citizens to that the MCGM school system works. This will only come about through more interactive sessions with citizens groups, college students, and ALMs (Advance Locality Management)

Vidya Vaidya on the occasion of CACR anniversary function 

Q:  How would you describe the team and work culture at the organization?

​A: It is wonderful the way our volunteers take the work as their own, carry out their self appointed tasks to bring about a change in the dull and often lifeless MCGM school system. They donate their valuable time, time which most organizations have none of for the issues at hand concerning us. The work is truly voluntary, but with a lot of responsibility and commitment.

Q:  How has CACR helped change the lives of the school children and their families? 

​A: I believe that the knowledge that there is a group interested in them and cares that the system must work for their welfare has not only changed the outlook of the school children and their parents but has also changed​ outlook of the teaching and administrative staff. Slowly but surely the lethargy and disinterest that is gripping the MCGM School System is lifting.​

Q:  Any new projects that you plan to participate in 2015?
A: Improvement and real change in the Mid- Day Meal Scheme will be in the forefront during 2015, I think.  ​

Q: Any appeals would you like to make to the readers?

​A: "Care for the future of these children. Help us keep them out of the streets and educate them, bring out their true potential. Donate your time for this cause, if you can." Help ensure the MCGM School System works as it should. Remember that in the past, not too distant. It did work, many of our seniors have been products of this very system, and have risen high in their respective fields.

CACR directors during MUSTRun Marathon where 525 BMC school kids participated 

--Vidya Vaidya, founder director CACR, talks to Richa Singh.CACR is a start-up nonprofit working in areas  of education, child rights and health.Website- www.ngocacr.comFacebbook-https://www.facebook.com/CitizensAssociationForChildRightsTwiiter- @cacr6 

New year ...New Hopes & Challenges

                   
              This is the second article in the Q  n A series with CACR core team members 

Q. How would you describe the last year 2014 for CACR?

A: My last years’ experience working with CACR  was simply superb! CACR touched new heights of success by performing  remarkable changes in BMC (Bombay Municipal Corporation) schools- assisting the system for timely distribution of 27 items in the school kit, getting computer labs available in working condition, activating the use of virtual classroom , monitoring system on every stage for the benefit of children,getting infrastructure funds to the tune of 6 crore rupees sanctioned for building repairs, mid day meal distribution for quality improvisation , planning various co-curricular activities for kids such as marathons and drawing competitions, and donating running shoes to kids and so on

Lesson learnt: I became a good 'Analyst' of BMC Education, got an experience of monitoring the system and knowing how it works, calmly getting done on right time and most importantly I have become a keen observer who has a strong will to appreciate the right acts and the ability to change the wrong ones.

2. What challenges do you see ahead in 2015 for team CACR and how you plan to overcome these?

A: No Challenges really but yes I would say it will be a  task to increase our volunteers force with double its speed as in the upcoming academic year we wish to start New Bombay and Thane CACR chapters so more work force will be required to join us in the initiative.


3. How would you describe the team and work culture at the organisation and would you like to change anything?

A: Team and work culture is really perfect though we have hierarchy in our organisation. But our higher ups make us comfortable by not micromanaging us on a daily basis.My personal thanks to Mr. Nitin and Dr Richa for  providing assistance and encouraging us on every step.Moreover, making us comfortable that we can share all our thought and observations.
The most awesome thing is we all work on all possible aspects which benefit school kids and education department.We believe in smart decisions with a common viewpoint

4. Any new projects that you plan to participate in 2015?

Yes, in 2015 academic year I wish to nominate myself for becoming a part of  SMC in a school and become a more active citizen and volunteer


5. According to you how has CACR helped change the lives of the school children and their families?

As per my experience CACR has really done what they say during their meetings and seminars. Lots of changes were done in the past year. Since its inception in June 2013 to date, CACR has been observing  all small activities of the education staff ,teachers,and  kids and assisting them on every small step:-

• conducting SMC meetings, 
• collaborating with multiple organisations and experts as an IIT Bombay, H West Federation, Toy bank, ADAPT, Nalanda Dance Institute, NSS club of Ruia College , Enactus HR College
• Also, teaching Basic IT skills and  spoken English, 
• organizing health talks and marathons 

CACR had put in efforts in all possible fields which can benefit these kids

6.Any appeals you would like to make to the readers?

Yes surely  : Thanks for showing your interest by reading our blogs,Facebook posts,and  Twitter tweets ;visiting our website; following us on everywhere on social media. I really appreciate all the activism you all do but a humble request is kindly  join us for spreading the word of education and RTE(Right to Education Act). 

Come forward and join the initiative, benefiting the system and kids in real time. Hope to connect with you

-as answered to Richa by Roshni Singh,a core team member of NGO CACR.CACR is a start-up nonprofit working in areas  of education, child rights and health

Website- www.ngocacr.com

Facebbook-https://www.facebook.com/CitizensAssociationForChildRights

Twiiter- @cacr6