Meera Rafi, Childreach International partner and child rights activist, was recently recognised as highly commended in the 2010 International Service Human Rights Awards.

Meera has demonstrated an unquestionable level of commitment to campaigning for child rights and making them a reality for countless children across India. Working in the Gujarat district in the north, Meera runs Centre for Development (CfD), a Childreach International Project partner working with communities displaced by violence after the deadly Gujarat riots in 2002.

CfD runs Education Centres (pictured above) in the Piplaj settlement, providing children with the opportunity to continue learning and developing in difficult conditions where basic amenities, infrastructures and rights are scarce.

“For us, this is valuable recognition of the cause that CfD has been striving for all these years and the humble work that we have been doing all along. The encouragement and motivation that this recognition gives us is far beyond words.” – Meera Rafi, CfD

The awards ceremony took place in York last December.

Taking child rights to the top

As well as running education centres for the displaced children and actively encouraging reconciliation between ethnic groups in Piplaj, CfD has been working hard with the community there to advocate for their right to basic infrastructures and amenities.

Some 2000 children are unable to attend formal schooling in the settlement - the government has not provided a school accessible to the community.

Both the Aanganwandis and the Ekta Nari Sangathan – local community groups – have tried to get the attention of the local government, meet government officials and advocate for a new government school. These demands were never responded to or even acknowledged.

Meera Rafi, CfD and the children decided it was now time to take action. “Bal Dosts” (teachers) and ten girls and two boys from one of the education centres travelled to the Municpal Corporation Office to request an appointment with the Municipal Commissioner of Ahmedabad.

As they reached the office they were refused permission and told to leave immediately.

Finally two Bal Dosts were allowed inside the building. They met with the Commissioner who was very hostile – he tore up their proposal for a school in the Piplaj settlement.

Positive outcomes for child rights

Although they received a negative reception, there was undoubtedly a positive outcome.

Later, the Bal Dosts were contacted and asked to leave another proposal for the Municipal Commissioner to consider, while members of the group were interviewed by a national television channel called TV-9, revealing the issues effecting child rights and education in Piplaj to a wider audience across India.

But most importantly, after lobbying the Municipal Commissioner's Office, CfD’s mounting pressure led government officials to initiate a survey in the Piplaj area, beginning processes to address the educational needs of the displaced children.

"CfD considers advocacy by community leaders the best way for a long-lasting solution to the problems in Piplaj. CfD will continue to plan more ways to advocate for basic rights and entitlements alongside community leaders in the coming year" - Meera Rafi

Please give and help humanitarians like Meera continue their inspiring work in 2011.

Check out our slideshow from CfD telling the stories of some of the children attending the education centres.

Have at look at the International Service's website to find out more about the Human Rights Awards.

See what Broadcaster Jon Snow has to say about the importance of the Human Rights Awards and working for rights at the grassroots.