Transform the Lives of Children in Gujarat, India

The International Day of Play was celebrated with over 1,190 children across schools and communities, the event revived traditional games and championed every child's right to joyful, inclusive play. A three-day leadership camp empowered 50 children to lead with empathy and environmental responsibility through experiential learning and hands-on sustainability activities. Over 60 women participated in a day-long Mahila Sammelan focused on legal rights, child safety, government schemes, and community leadership for safer, healthier families. Held in May, the vacation camp engaged children through creative games, leadership activities, empowerment workshops, and environmental awareness, fostering joy and growth. 

International Day of Play 2025

11th to 14th June 2025 | Bhavnagar

Purpose & Objectives

The International Day of Play celebration was held to reinforce play as a fundamental right and an essential element of childhood. The objectives were to:

• Promote inclusive, joyful play for all children.
  
  
• Foster teamwork, leadership, and emotional well-being.
  
  
• Revive traditional and cultural games.
  
  
• Reduce academic stress and create safe, engaging environments.

Activities Conducted

Games for children aged between ages 6–10 included:

• Soda Tali, Captain Captain Action Badal, Hathi Ka Bachha, and more – focusing on rhythm, expression, and fun.
  
  

Games for children aged between 11-16 included:

• Train Tali, Bajaro, Bhalu Machhar Machali, and more – emphasizing drama, logic, and cultural connection.

Participation

• Schools: 846 children (431 boys, 415 girls)
  
  
• Community Zones: 346 children (162 boys, 184 girls)
  
  
• Total: 1,192 children
  
  

Impact & Observations

• Children participated enthusiastically, even in high temperatures.
  
  
• Increased energy and communication noted post-sessions.
  
  
• Parents appreciated safe, joyful engagement outside of school.
  
  
• Games helped shy children open up and express themselves.
  
  
• Traditional games sparked intergenerational memories and pride.
  
  

The celebration was a vibrant affirmation of every child’s right to play. Beyond fun, it nurtured inclusion, self-expression, and community bonds. Shaishav continues to champion play-based, child-led learning for holistic child development.

Leadership Camp 2025: Leading with Environment
1st–3rd June 2025 | Participants: 50 (26 Boys, 24 Girls)

Shaishav’s Leadership Camp 2025 brought together 50 children for a three-day immersive experience aimed at cultivating leadership through the lens of environmental responsibility. The theme of environmental stewardship was chosen based on the children’s own interest and initiative, as they expressed the importance of addressing environmental issues and fostering awareness among their peers

The camp was designed to help children discover and strengthen their leadership potential through experiential learning, teamwork, and self-reflection—all while deepening their understanding of nature and sustainable living.

Through a mix of interactive discussions, nature-based activities, collaborative games, and creative expression, children explored what it means to be a leader who not only cares for people but also for the planet.

The Leadership Camp was packed with thoughtfully curated activities that combined environmental awareness, personal reflection, and leadership development. Children participated in the "Web of Life" activity, which helped them understand the deep interdependence between all living beings, Thought-provoking screenings such as "Life in 2050", "The Story of Stuff", and "The Story of Waste" sparked rich discussions about climate change, consumerism, and the importance of conscious living.

Hands-on learning sessions allowed children to create eco-friendly alternatives like natural cleaning liquid using kitchen waste, herbal bath powder, and personalized reflection diaries. The waste classification exercise deepened their understanding of sustainable waste management. Sporting activity like Ultimate Frisbee encouraged teamwork, fairness, and active leadership.Value-based activities like “Luto Lutay Etlu” guided children to think critically about consumption, while the reflection circle and closing game reinforced key messages of empathy, sustainability, and collective responsibility. Together, these activities nurtured a sense of agency among the children, empowering them to lead change within their communities.

By the end of the camp, participants left feeling empowered and inspired—equipped not just with knowledge, but with the empathy, confidence, and sense of responsibility to lead positive change in their communities and protect the environment for future generations.

The camp succeeded in planting seeds of awareness, leadership, and action—values that will continue to grow as these young leaders take their first steps toward shaping a more mindful and sustainable world.

Mahila Sammelan 2025 

Date: 23rd March 2025 | Location: Bhavnagar | Participants: 60+ women 

Shaishav hosted the Mahila Sammelan 2025 to empower women—particularly mothers and sisters of Balsena children—through awareness sessions on legal rights, child protection, government schemes, and community safety. The goal was to strengthen their ability to support child well-being and become active agents of change in their communities.

Key Sessions & Speakers:

• Legal Rights & Child Protection: Advocate Preeti explained the Domestic Violence Act, child abuse recognition, and legal remedies.
• Government Schemes: Sanjaybhai discussed benefits like the Vahli Dikri Yojana and Ganga Swaroopa Sahay Yojana.
• Support Services: Sudhaben introduced the Sakhi One Stop Centre for women facing violence.
• Child Helplines: Navneetbhai highlighted the 1098 helpline and DCPU support for child safety.

Interactive & Awareness Activities:

• Community Safety Mapping & Role-Play: Mothers reviewed unsafe areas highlighted by children and learned about body safety.
• Six Steps of Awareness: Practical child protection steps for mothers.
• Junk Food Awareness: Promoted healthier dietary choices for children.
• One Billion Rising Campaign Pledge: Participants committed to fostering safety and equality.

Impact:

• Increased legal literacy and understanding of entitlements.
• Improved mother-child communication on safety and well-being.
• Strengthened collective commitment to creating safer, healthier communities.
• Enhanced confidence in accessing government services.

Vacation Camp

6th May – 31st May 2025 | 208 children (104 boys, 104 girls)

Objective

To create a safe, joyful, and enriching space for children during summer vacation, nurturing leadership, emotional strength, creativity, and awareness through experiential learning and play.

Key Highlights & ActivitiesBoard Games Theme

The camp was designed like a board game journey—each activity boosting critical thinking, teamwork, and emotional resilience.

• Monkey Doud – Fast-paced game that promotes group coordination
• Nav-Kukri – Game focused on memory and observation
• Chatur No Chotro – Logic and strategy-based group game
• Shakti Maan – Roleplaying game that centers around the theme of saving energy & using renewable energy
  
  

Film Screening – Poorna

An inspirational film based on the true story of a 13-year-old girl from a tribal community in Andhra Pradesh who overcame adversity to summit Mt. Everest, encouraging 205 children to dream big and pursue their goals with courage and determination.

Children’s Leadership Meetings (13–17 May)

Children led and planned camp activities themselves, developing confidence, communication, and decision-making skills.

Girls’ Empowerment Initiatives

• Kishori TOT (Training of Trainers): 21 adolescent girls explored body awareness and emotional expression through games.
  
  
• Wenlido Self-Defense Training: 77 girls learned practical safety techniques and boundary-setting, building physical and emotional strength.

One-Day Workshop on Health & Environment

Participants: 42 children
Children explored environmental challenges, types of pollution, and shared their learnings via creative poster-making.

Closing Ceremony of vacation Camp

Participants: 181 children
A grand celebration with songs, traditional dances (Kathak, Lakadi Khamdvi), and Talwar Baji (Sword Play) performances, showcasing the children’s talents and growth.

Impact Summary

The Vacation Camp transformed summer break into a time of joyful learning and self-discovery. Children emerged as leaders, creators, critical thinkers, and change-makers—gaining life skills, confidence, and a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them.