Neighbourhood Children’s Council (N.C.C.), Mumbai

Background

It is commonly found in urban Mumbai that people from different States of India with varied backgrounds of culture, religion and upbringing live in a cosmopolitan neighbourhood. The Mumbai RSCJ community of 3 live close to 130 families in an apartment making it is easy to relate to them on a daily basis. Some children come from the neighbouring apartments too. All the children come from middle class families and study in English-medium schools.

Objective

The main objective is to foster relationships among children who hail from different States of India but who live in a common neighbourhood in Mumbai.

Activities

• To form a Neighbourhood Children's Council (N.C.C.) It is basically "a government of the children, by the children, for the children, not forgetting others."
• To held regular meetings, guided by Sr. Manisha and a few parents of these children. On an average every 2 months for official meetings that last for an hour and a half. Besides, there are casual meetings sometimes in smaller teams (without any adults) as children prepare for certain occasions, like "Children's Day".
• To foster creative, educative presentations: Each child is entrusted with a Ministry of one’s choice. There are eight ministries which pertain to the life of the children: talent search; care for Mother Earth; sports; food and diet; art, craft and culture; spiritual connect; communication; awareness raising. At each monthly meeting, three ministries of children teams make a creative presentation keeping in mind the holistic growth of each one. 

Results

• Values inculcated during this process are self-discovery, mutual respect & acceptance, more gentle interaction at the formal meetings learning to work in teams, learning skills like public speaking, listening while another speaks without interruption (learning how to be still and attentive), learning how to cope with the difficulties of teamwork with perseverance, taking responsibility for tasks, giving positive feedback, growing in self-confidence and freedom when expressing one's views, self awareness and Nature appreciation. 
• Caring for the less privileged by sharing one's talents through outreach programmes.
• The creative presentations  has elicited much interest and excitement from the children and from the parents as well.
• Awareness raising to a nearby orphanage was done on the Annual 'Children's Day', by pooling their pocket money saved over several weeks. 
• In 2019, the focus was 'Care for mother earth': small initiatives in the neighbourhood have been encouraged.

People being served : Children and Young People

Age group : Children 0-17

Number of participants : mai-50

Project status : Ongoing

Society presence : India

Focus of the project : People

JPIC Imperative : Transforming and Being Transformed

UN Sustainable Development Goals : 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, 17 Partnerships for the Goals, 4 Quality Education