Internship Experience at Child Rights and You - CRY
This internship diary is a report of my work done, from 01-01-2024 to 31-01-2024, during my winter internship break. The work was done at CRY - Child Rights and You, an NGO based out of Kolkata under the guidance of Rubina Haque, Senior Executive, Volunteer Engagement at CRY, Kolkata.
ABOUT THE NGO
CRY
is one of the top NGOs in India and it addresses children's critical needs by
working with parents, teachers, Anganwadi (Indian Rural Childcare Centre)
workers, communities, district, and state-level governments, as well as the
children, themselves. The organization focuses on changing behaviours and
practices at the grassroots level and influencing public policy at a systemic
level, to create an environment where children are the priority.
- Education
(Right to Development)
- Health
& Nutrition (Right to Survival)
- Safety
& Protection (Right to Protection)
- Child Participation (Right to Participation)
MY ROLE AS INTERN
WEEK ONE
The orientation session was held in online mode on Google Meet. We were introduced to two campaigns with which we'll be working during our internship days. The first one was “Cyber Smart Heroes”, which aims to build awareness and encourage the safe and responsible use of information in the virtual/cyber world in school goers. The second was “Hero in You”, which aims to provide underprivileged children with the education they deserve. We were also informed of a training session that will be provided to all the interns involved in the “Cyber Smart Heroes” campaign to make things more precise and understandable for us.
I was assigned to make a poster on Canva for the occasion of the Long Service Award (LSA) for one of the employees who will be completing his 5 years while working with the NGO. To make things easier, I was also introduced to the colour codes, theme and fonts that the NGO follows on its banners and posters.
WEEK TWO
Week two started by being involved in an online session by an experienced volunteer, guiding us through the nuances of "Cyber Smart Heroes." In the first half, the session was held to understand the know-how of the campaign on Google Meet. In the second half, we were told to be prepared for another online session where we shall be sharing our understanding of the previous session based on our learning of the same. After that, we had a mock drill session and were asked to deliver what we've prepared till date for the Cyber Security Awareness campaign, followed by a set of instructions and suggestions that we need to rectify while delivering the same.
The
‘Cyber Smart Heroes’ campaign took place at Behala Girls' High School, which is
a Bengali-medium girls' school located at Behala, Kolkata. The session started
at 4:00 PM and unfolded through fun games aimed at keeping the focus and the
curiosity of the school children alive and impactful. The session imparted
through interactive discussion and exposure to the most frequent cyber-crimes
that are largely prevalent, viz: Phishing and Scam, Gaming, Identity Theft,
Ransomware Attack, Hacking and all. Since the children out there were
comfortable in their regional language, that is Bengali, the session took place
in the same language only. I was mainly involved in the documentation and
bookkeeping part while the session was taking place. It was a wholesome and fun
experience altogether.
WEEK THREE
The week mainly involved focusing on donor outreach for the "Hero in You" campaign, aiming to reach at least 30 donors and register their information. We were asked to work on our assigned targets for the ‘Hero In You’ campaign in which we had to reach out to the donors and get their names registered along with their mobile and email addresses to CRY’s portal and update the same in the tracker (shared Google-Sheet).
Later, we got engaged in a symposium at Sahid Surya Sen Bhawan on National and State Education Policies in the Present Context and Learning Process. The discourse, initiated by a survey report on West Bengal's elementary education landscape, delved into the critical intersection of policy and practical learning processes. Guest speakers and fellow participants offered valuable insights, paving the way for constructive dialogue and a hopeful vision for education's future.
WEEK FOUR
Following
my previous assignments, I was tasked with a comprehensive design project
utilizing Canva for an upcoming session centred on "Building Safe Online
Spaces For Girls." This session was scheduled to take place amidst the
vibrant atmosphere of the 47th International Book Fair held at Central Park,
Salt Lake. The scope of the project encompassed designing various materials
such as posters, invitations, and presentations, each meticulously crafted to
resonate with the theme and captivate the attention of attendees.
Furthermore, in commemoration of National Girl Child Day, a momentous occasion dedicated to celebrating the rights and empowerment of girls, our team organized a compelling panel discussion. Held within the prestigious venue of the Kolkata International Book Fair, the discussion revolved around the critical topic of fostering safe online environments for girls. Esteemed panellists hailing from diverse domains lent their expertise and perspectives to the discourse, enriching the conversation with invaluable insights and thought-provoking reflections.
The event served as a platform for meaningful dialogue and collaborative engagement, fostering greater awareness and understanding of the challenges and opportunities inherent in promoting digital safety and empowerment for girls. As participants and organizers alike, we were deeply inspired by the collective efforts to advocate for the rights and well-being of girls in an increasingly digital world.
The internship experience over the course of four weeks with CRY has been incredibly enriching and fulfilling. Through various activities and campaigns, I've had the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to important causes and initiatives aimed at making a positive impact in society.
The initial exposure set the stage for the subsequent weeks, providing a clear direction for my tasks and responsibilities. Throughout the internship, I engaged in diverse activities ranging from designing posters and outreach materials to participating in sessions and symposiums focused on cyber awareness and education policies. The hands-on experience, coupled with guidance from experienced volunteers and professionals, allowed me to develop valuable skills and insights into the intricacies of social initiatives and community engagement.
One of the highlights of the internship was the opportunity to actively participate in the "Cyber Smart Heroes" campaign at Behala Girls' High School. Witnessing firsthand the impact of interactive sessions and discussions on cyber safety for school children was both rewarding and enlightening.
Additionally, being involved in donor outreach for the "Hero in You" campaign and attending the symposium on education policies provided valuable exposure to the organizational aspects and broader societal issues addressed by the NGO.
The culmination of the internship with the design project for "Building Safe Online Spaces For Girls" and the panel discussion during the Kolkata International Book Fair was a fitting conclusion. It not only allowed me to apply my skills but also reinforced the importance of collaborative efforts in promoting social causes and advocacy for marginalized communities.
Overall, the internship experience has been a journey of learning, growth, and meaningful contribution to social causes. I am grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of such impactful initiatives and look forward to continuing my commitment to making a difference in the community.
Comments
Post a Comment