Grit & grime: Global youths hear survival stories at Sanjay Camp
New Delhi:Just beyond the orderly elegance of Chanakyapuri lies Sanjay Camp, a jhuggi cluster wedged between privilege and persistence, where young lives are busy rewriting their fate.
In this narrow maze of tin roofs and tarpaulin walls, a unique gathering unfolded on Thursday. Students from USA, Mexico, Kazakhstan, Palestine, Vietnam, Liberia, Bhutan and other corners of the world had gathered — not to volunteer or help, but to listen and to learn.
Part of Nobel laureate
Kailash Satyarthi
's summer school initiative, these international youth leaders were brought to India to see the country, but, more importantly, to confront its contrasts.
At Sanjay Camp, they met teenagers, many of whom had once worked as child labourers, suffered addiction in the family or faced the looming threat of child marriage. Now, they are change-makers, leaders in their own right. At just 16 or 17 years in age, they had helped declare their community child-labour-free.
They had spoken out against addiction. They had fought for school enrolment. And won.
"I started working when I was just 15 years old," said Rahul, now 19, recalling his time as a daily-wage brick carrier, earning Rs 200 a day to help feed his family.
Across from him, Aleksandra from the US, pursuing a BSc degree in behavioural neuroscience, reflected on how she too had worked at 17 but in an air-conditioned retail store, protected by strict labour laws. "I worked at a clothing store, I wanted to save up for college," said Aleksandra.
"Even though I was a minor, there were systems in place. We had shorter, regulated hours, and we weren't treated like adults. There was a clear separation, and it felt safe."
Rahul had a contrasting experience, "I didn't have a choice. There were no protective measures, just long hours and survival." Then, with a big smile, he added, "But things are different now. I'm an assistant football coach. I've even had sessions at the German embassy."
Beatrice from Liberia quietly listened to 15-year-old Nisha tell of how she intervened to stop a child marriage on her lane. "Abuse is common back home too," Beatrice said.
"But Nisha didn't wait, she stepped up. I want that kind of courage."
The interactions didn't always need words. In broken English, hesitant Hindi and bursts of laughter, barriers began to melt. Strangers became friends. Problems, though born of different geographies, found common ground.
Seventeen-year-old Mahek, a Class XI student and one of the most spirited voices in the crowd, shared how Sanjay Camp now ran its own Bal Panchayat, a children's parliament.
With elected representatives for roles ranging from president to environment and hygiene ministers, the colony mirrors a democratic govt. Only here, the lawmakers are teenagers, young voices who raise real issues and spark real change.
As Mahek spoke, her voice rang with conviction. Among the admiring listeners was 21-year-old Namgay Choden, a law student from Bhutan. "We do have youth govts in Bhutan at many levels," Choden exclaimed, "but to see a self-sustained, grassroots govt in a slum settlement — led entirely by children — is extraordinary.
If something like this could be replicated elsewhere, it would transform local awareness and accountability.
"
As the group of young leaders mingled, conversations turned to dreams. A delegate from Kazakhstan asked what everyone wanted to do. A camp girl expressed the wish to study law. Another mentioned theatre. Then came Carlos from Mexico, who got the loudest cheer when he said, "I want to make music videos." He looked up, pointed at the bright red tent with yellow patterns above their heads, and smiled, "Even this, just the colours, the vibe, the culture here, everything's so full of life and It's all inspiration.
"
Asmita Satyarthi, CEO of Satyarthi Movement for Global Compassion, said, "The summer school is our first step in actioning our vision, not in a boardroom or on a campus, but in the real world, side by side with children, communities and survivor leaders across India."
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