To mark the 77th Independence Day, the Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights took the opportunity to celebrate the true spirit of the occasion by organising a fun day for Kathkari tribal children in collaboration with the Human Touch Foundation and Sanvedan Kendra.
Sixty-five children from Virnoda and Porascadem in Pernem and Nirankhal in Ponda participated in the event.
The children initially enjoyed a two-hour-long gaming experience, sponsored by Gaming Station at Umiya Mercado Mall.
It was no less than a dream for these tribal children, who, dressed in colourful and neat attire, reached a five-star resort, where Planet Hollywood hosted them, spoiling them for choice with a variety of delicious dishes and sweets. There were play activities and a beach experience as well.
Peter F Borges, Chairperson, Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, says, “The plight of these children needs to be heard and resolved in more ways than one. From acute poverty to lack of any scope of a healthy and happy future, these children, like all other children, deserve a better life.”
He also says that they are vulnerable to poverty, disease, lack of basic education and poor nutrition. This increases their risk of child marriage, child labour and exploitation of all sorts.
Goa SCPCR has undertaken various sustainable initiatives in both places, ie Nirankhal and Virnoda. This activity was just another experience for the children to commemorate Independence Day.
Dr Kashyap Bandodkar was instrumental in mobilising resources through a lot of well-wishers, while Sarah Andrade, Dashrath Morajkar, Rheya Fernandes, Santosh Badgari Vanessa Colaco, Aishwarya Andrade, Sandhya Chawan, Masooma Shaikh, Gaurisha Parab and Shraddha Aheir volunteered for the event.
Goa SCPCR is grateful to Gaming Station, Umiya Mercado Mall, Planet Hollywood Resort and other well-wishers and volunteers who supported this event.