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About Us

Building an empathetic world where street children can dream fearlessly to change their stories.

Registered in 2019, Rag Dreams’ Weavers Association (RDWA) is part of the global Consortium for Street Children, UK network. In India, we work in collaboration with North-Central Railways and run our mentorship programs to systematically connect and expose youth to the realities of street-connected children. The program focuses on developing 21st-century skills and finding sustainable interventions to bring change at the familial, community, public, and governance levels.

RDWA started in June 2017, when a group of friends in their city Aligarh encountered issues of such children, largely drug abused and addicted to 'sulochan' drug (puncture tube, thinner, etc). Disturbed by the sight of society's violent approach towards these children, they decided to give an alternative to those children by including/re-including education, empowerment, and enjoyment in their lives. 

 

Subsequently, more and more college students started joining hands, and in the month of August 2017, there was a team of 20 conducting regular classes. The classes became more structured with more activity-based teaching thereby the number of children also started increasing day by day, and thus the journey of change began.

"Governments should not say we should not be on the streets. They should not harass us if on the streets. We should be accepted. Living on the street does not mean that we cannot have rights."

Child Rights Approach RDWA

OUR APPROACH

The child is at the center of RDWA

We firmly hold that elevating the awareness of street-connected children is crucial in addressing the challenges they face. To accomplish this, we have developed the following approach:

  • Emphasizing ASER skills development

  • Customizing interventions to suit the specific needs of each child

  • Equipping children with the tools and confidence to become proactive agents of change in their own lives 

  • Encouraging active participation in building a more empathetic society

RDWA recognizes the immense potential of youth in driving positive change in society. However, many institutions have failed to provide young people with the necessary tools and understanding to effectively address the challenges they face.

 

To bridge this gap, we offer youth the opportunity to engage with and understand the issues faced by street-connected children, thereby developing their skills and abilities to bring about real change. Our goal is to cultivate a network of young change-makers who understand the power of self-change and are dedicated to creating a more empathetic world for children.

 

Under the guidance of experienced mentors, these young leaders will become powerful agents of change, working to achieve a larger vision of realizing the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030 and creating an empathetic society for children everywhere.

Empathetic Youth

OUR APPROACH

Image by Baatcheet Films

OUR APPROACH

Theory of Change

Drawing from Gandhiji’s ethics, RDWA’s theory of change is grounded in understanding the self with the situations around and the self-change journey.

 

By shifting perspectives from stereotypes to understanding, from apathy to empathy, and from bullying to support, the potential for meaningful change is greatly increased.

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Our belief is that the situation of street-connected children cannot be transformed through external changes alone; rather, it starts with a transformation in our individual attitudes towards them. RDWA is dedicated to empowering youth with the skills and understanding necessary to form deeper connections with street-connected children and co-create a more empathetic society.

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