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Approach and Strategy
Butterflies
approach is
Democratic, Participatory, Right’s
Based and Non Institutional
What we mean by Democratic
and Participatory approach?
Our strategy aims to ensure that children actively participate in the
decision-making process and this is done through their Bal Sabha (Children’s
Council meetings) and their own Bal Mazdoor Union (Child Workers Union).
Monthly Bal Sabha meetings are forums where they discuss all the issues
which affect their lives, share their concerns and find collective
solutions. Guided by the adult Child Rights Facilitator and based on their
needs and Butterflies’ vision, the children also plan their future
activities as part of the Butterflies programme. They thus, learn the
principles of democracy i.e. every person has a right to an opinion and
freedom of expression, and that a consensus must be reached to take a final
decision but also that sometimes a compromise is needed. Bal Sabha is the
core of Butterflies programme and is now a regular forum for children to
share their concerns, and at the same time also helps us to refine our
programme interventions
 Interestingly, Bal Sabha discussions have led to emergence of a number of
children’s own collectives– such as the Bal Mazdoor Union, the Bal Mazdoor
kee Awaaz-Child Workers Voice a wall paper for and by children, Butterflies
Bal Rang Manch (theatre group), Butterflies Broadcasting Children, Community
Kitchen , Health Co-operative and Children's Bank called Bal Vikas Bank or
the Children’s Development Bank. The wall paper Child Worker’s Voice has
evolved to a National newspaper called National Children’s Times and South
Asian Children’s Times. The child journalists of NCT and SACT with the help
of adult facilitators have formed National and South Asian Child Journalist
Forum.
Children’s Contribution is a Must: Nothing is given free
We believe that all children must have self-respect, and a feeling of self
worth. This gets realized by means of their own contributions towards the
activities that they have planned for themselves. This helps them to
appreciate and also have a sense of ownership towards these activities. We
have found this strategy quite useful. Children honour their commitments and
participate in the planning of the activity with a feeling that it is their programme and therefore have to make it successful.
 What does a Non-Institutional approach mean to us?
Emphasizing on an alternative to traditional institutionalization of
children, Butterflies follows a non-institutional approach and works in
places where the street and working children live or work viz. bus
terminals, railway stations, markets, and parks. Non-institutional approach
not only focuses on building a child’s capacity to cope with current
situations and responsibilities in society but also empowers him/her to be
self reliant and independent. It involves community and local self
Government in addressing situations of children who need care and
protection. It enables a greater outreach and in the long run is one of the
most practical approach for a vast country like India.
Butterflies Strategy
When in contact with any child, the first effort is to build a rapport and
encourage a child to return to his/her family. We ourselves take a child
back to his/her family. This is our first response. As we believe that
family is the best and the right institution for every child to grow up in.
In case this is not possible due to the child being an orphan, or belonging
to a dysfunctional family, rejected by step parents we encourage the child
to get associated with our programme. As the first step every child is
encouraged to go to a formal school or get enrolled in the National
Institute of Open School (NIOS), Butterflies is accredited to NIOS. Given
the options of full time schooling in a boarding school, a formal government
school or NIOS, the child is supported according to the choice she/he makes and
is also linked to other services provided by the Butterflies’ programme,
such as health, media, legal aid, counseling, cultural, art ,sports,
vocational training and Children’s Development Bank. The children can also
access services of our resilience center, Childline and health post.
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