CRY – Making a Difference in the Lives of Children

Category: Recommendation

Child Rights and You (CRY) is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) dedicated to safeguarding the well-being of children in India for over four decades. CRY has tirelessly strived to eradicate the pervasive issues of child labour, child abuse, and child exploitation that continue to plague society. With an unwavering commitment to its cause, CRY's mission is to create a world where every child is granted equal rights and provided with ample opportunities to flourish and thrive in a nurturing environment.

The Impact of “CRY”: Foundation & History

• Child Rights and You (CRY) was founded in 1979 by Rippan Kapur. CRY fights for the rights of underprivileged children in India. CRY has grown over the years and now has a network of over 2000 grassroots-level projects across the country. These projects address challenges like education, healthcare, child labour, child marriage, and child trafficking.
• CRY takes a holistic approach, focusing on long-term sustainable solutions. The organisation aims to empower children and their communities to break free from poverty and discrimination. 
• The Organization engages with government bodies, civil society organisations, and the media to raise awareness and advocate for policy changes and legislative reforms to protect child rights in India. 
• CRY's success is due to its commitment, transparent practices, and the support of donors and well-wishers. As CRY expands its reach, it remains dedicated to ensuring that every child in India enjoys their fundamental rights and has the opportunity to thrive.

Vision and Mission: Protecting and Respecting Every Child's Rights

• The Organization's goal is to create a society where every child's rights are protected and respected, ensuring their happiness, health, and creativity. That means building a society based on respect for dignity, justice, and fairness for all individuals.
• CRY wants to empower people to take responsibility for helping deprived Indian children. Through individual and collective action, The Organization aims to motivate people to seek resolution and make a difference.
• The Organization understands that collective action is decisive and encourages diverse segments of society to come together in solidarity. By pledging their unique strengths and working in partnership, these collectives and movements can effectively secure, protect, and honour the rights of India's children.
• The Organization's vision serves as a call to action, urging individuals and communities to unite in their efforts to ensure that every child can realise their full potential.

“CRY” Campaigns: A Multi-Channel Social Campaign

CRY's projects focus on education, collaborating with local communities and schools to provide underprivileged children with quality education and development opportunities. They also prioritise healthcare, improving access to healthcare facilities and services.

The YellowFellow Campaign

• The YellowFellow campaign has been a massive success for CRY, reaching over 43 million people in India. More than 4,150 individuals, including 90 celebrities and influencers, participated by posting photos with yellow socks and using CRY's exclusive #YellowFellow augmented reality photo filters on Facebook or Instagram.
• In November 2018, CRY broke the Guinness World Record for the most people wearing red sock puppets in one place as CRY #YellowFellows. The campaign won the 'Best Multi-Channel Campaign By An NGO' at the MCube Awards, becoming one of the most viral social campaigns.

'School the Spark' Campaign

CRY launched the 'School the Spark' campaign to address issues related to children's education. This campaign will touch the lives of 252,293 children aged 6 to 18.

'Joy of Five' Campaign

CRY also launched the 'Joy of Five' campaign to raise awareness about the importance of nutrition, health, and education in the first five years of a child's life. This campaign focuses on providing essential care, food, and education to children aged 0-6.

“PooriPadhaiDeshKiBhalai”Campaign

CRY has launched the national campaign #PooriPadhaiDeshKiBhalai in association with Lintas Live. It aims to raise awareness about the importance of Indian girls completing secondary education and how it can positively impact the country's inclusive socio-economic development. The campaign encourages citizens to pledge support for this project.

“CRY” Impact on Children's Rights and Well-being

The organization has been honoured with the prestigious Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament, and Development. This recognition is a testament to their dedication and effectiveness.

Ensuring Access to Education

CRY's efforts in ensuring access to education for children in need are commendable. According to data collected from CRY project areas, an impressive 97% of children between the ages of 6-18 years are enrolled in school. In the 15-18 age group, CRY has achieved an enrollment and retention rate that is 11% better than the all-India enrollment status, as reported in the UDISE+ 2021-22 report.

Addressing Undernourishment

CRY has also focused on addressing the issue of undernourishment among children. The data reveals that an impressive 89% of children under the age of 5 years in CRY project areas are protected from undernourishment, which is a remarkable achievement considering that the all-India status, as per NFHS 5, shows a higher percentage of underweight children at 32%. In CRY project areas, only 17% of children are malnourished.

Protecting Adolescent Girls

CRY has been successful in protecting adolescent girls between the ages of 11-18 years from child marriage. The data shows that an astounding 99% of teenage girls in CRY project areas are shielded from this harmful practice, ensuring their safety and well-being.

Combating Child Labor

The Organization has made significant strides in combating child labour. The data indicates that an impressive 95% of children between the ages of 6-18 years in CRY project areas are protected from child labour, ensuring that they have the opportunity to grow and develop in a safe and nurturing environment.

Volunteering with “CRY”: Opportunities to Work with Children

Community Volunteer

If you have a passion for working with children and their communities, you can join the CRY Public Action Group (PAG) in your city and become a Community Volunteer. As a Community Volunteer, your responsibility will be to promote the learning and growth of children in your community.

Internships

Gain professional skills while working with India's leading NGO by applying for internships at CRY. Interns have the opportunity to work across different departments and gain invaluable experience.

Remote Volunteer

If you want to contribute to a good cause but cannot commit to full-time work, you can join us as a Remote Volunteer. As a Remote Volunteer, you can work on a diverse range of impactful projects, such as crowdfunding online, planning fundraisers, creating great designs, and writing compelling stories.

Student Volunteer

Experience the spirit of volunteering while still in school by becoming a Student Volunteer. We curate guided experiences that allow you to learn new things every day and make a difference in your community.

Child Rights Leaders

College students who love meeting new people can apply to become Child Rights Leaders. As a Child Rights Leader, you will spearhead various campaigns and on-ground activities to raise awareness for children's rights. Our Child Rights Leaders Program is an excellent opportunity to develop your leadership skills and make a positive impact in your community.

Conclusion

CRY has had a profound and lasting impact on Indian society through its unwavering commitment to promoting child rights and improving the lives of underprivileged children.By advocating for children's rights, CRY has become a beacon of hope, inspiring other NGOs and individuals to join the cause of social justice. All of us need to support organisations like CRY as they continue to champion the rights of the most vulnerable members of our society.