Youth will be empowered to speak out for themselves, using music and media technology, on the safety and protection issues faced by vulnerable children in Hyderabad, as part of Viva’s ‘safe place for children’ campaign. 15 youth (13-18 yrs) and 3 adult facilitators from the Blossom Network will form a media team, be equipped with a Community Studio, and attend 2 Train the Trainer workshops. The team will train another 35 youth.
Topical focus:
Country:
What locality or neighborhood will your project focus on?
Hyderabad
Describe the specific community with whom you will be working.
Children are often the most vulnerable in any community affected by poverty, poor education and HIV/AIDS. In Hyderabad’s 2000 slums, children face additional problems such as sexual exploitation. It is estimated that 50,000 children live on the streets. It is vital for the children of Hyderabad that child protection and health issues are discussed and addressed by the community. Young people can be involved in this through media work.
What kinds of news, stories and other content will be created?
Children and young people will create short videos for (and with) the police, government legislators and local councilors to voice their opinions, views and their rights as citizens and the obligations of adults and government to uphold those rights. Their work will be distributed through DVDs & web links and annual events will be organized to which the public, media, government, UN organizations and embassy staff will be invited.
What technologies and digital tools do you plan to use in the trainings?
Other tools
music recording studio
Describe the connections that you or your organization have already established that will contribute to the success of the project.
The project partners the Viva Blossom Network with Community Albums based on a successful pilot in Uganda. VBN was formed in 2007 and is made up of 51 grassroots organizations serving 3000 vulnerable children. CA, formed in 2009, provides mobile media units (community studios) and secure online forums for children to collaborate with one another, locally and globally. A school in the UK will also partner with a school in the network.
How many participants do you think will be involved in your project?
15 youth currently served by VBN will be chosen for their leadership skills and interest in media, to be part of the Media Team. 35 additional youth will be trained by the team to use music and media. Trained youth will gain media skills that can be used beyond the duration of the project. The material created will also be used repeatedly for advocacy and education campaigns. VBN will develop as a media producer of children’s issues.
Besides the microgrant funding, what other resources and support are you seeking for your project to ensure its success?
The Rising Voices platform will help to spread the message of children advocating for their rights through music and media. At Viva, we believe Working Together is Better. The problems of vulnerable children can only be truly solved if we work together at every level. We hope this opportunity will lead us to additional advice, resources and networking possibilities.
Contact name
Gary Kamaal
Organization
Viva Network North America