A young kid by name Viswanathan, stayed with his uncle house up to 2nd standard. After that he lived with his parents and studied up to 5th standard. Due to poverty his parents received Rs.5, 000/ from an employer and send him to work. For three years the boy worked and was beaten up several times by the employer. With the hope of receiving love of the parents he ran away from the employer to his home but there too he was treated in the same way with beating for running away form the employer. Feeling depressed Viswanathan ran to Salem from Tiruchengode

At this critical situation viswanathan was met by, Mr. Vincent the staff of Anbu Illam with a smiling face. The boy told him that he had come in search of a job. The staff brought the boy to the shelter home and met his immediate needs. Counseling was given to him and information was gathered about the child.

Asked about the willingness of the boy to see his parents or go home he answered negatively. ‘Even the basic needs could not be provided by them, then how do I value them’ This was the question raised by the child. By getting the address, a counselor from Anbu Illam met his parents and counseled them made them realize their mistake. As the boy refused to live with his parents he was given shelter and education in Anbu Illam itself. Mr. Irudayaraj (one of our coordinator) came forward to be the psychological parents for this child.

Today Vishwanathan has completed his School education. He visits his parents occasionally, participates in all competitions, and helps other students too. As an active member of the scouts he was selected to be awarded at State Level. He is very eager to learn and come up in life. He feels bad about his brother who goes for work instead of learning. Now at present he is doing his polytechnic studies

 CASE STUDY - 2

Narayana Nagar is a Slum Area in the city of Salem; this place was selected by anbu illam because 600 children from this area were sent to work in hotel, work shops and in houses. The few children who went to school were coming from a slum locality.
In this atmosphere, Anbu Illam formed a Child Rights Club with thirty children between age group of 10 to 15 years as members. They were specially trained on child rights and to identify children working in difficult situation. Trainings were given to these members on leadership, personality development and ways to develop skills. Assessing their leadership, ten were selected as ministers allocating various responsibilities. The minister for education promptly looks around for drop outs and the child laborers. With the assistance of others in the team restores and the organization follows it up. Three children Parliament are functioning well now with enthusiasm and active participation. They are also given trainings on globalization and privatization.
The local needs and problems were taken care and solutions were arrived at by the children themselves with the facilitation of the staff. Necessary inputs were given by the organization through capacity building and exposures.
Two children representing the parliament participated in the conference held at Delhi organized by Indian Social Forum for five days. These children visited the Indian Parliament home and spoke ‘from Narayna nagar we will plan next for the Nation’. To conclude, Children Speak ……. can speak……… can change……….. If they dream.