CYDA youth has been working with Homeless in Pune City since 2004. In October 2010, our Campaign for City makers (homeless) Caravan in association with IGSSS (Indo Global Social Service Society) could succeed to aware civil society organizations, government bodies, general public about the issues, concerns of homeless in Pune City. Soon after in January, CYDA was called for a meeting at the Census of India, Mumbai Office to be a part of this initiative and coordinate with similar like minded organizations to ensure Enumeration of Homeless Population.

Census 2011 work is going in full swing since 1st May 2010 and final enumeration will be taken up during 9th to 28th February 2011. The main objective of Census is to count everyone in this country during enumeration period without any omission or duplication. However, there are some areas were population live without any house and they are not covered during House listing Operations. It is, therefore, for coverage of homeless population (People living on the Streets), intensive efforts are to be undertaken to identify their location like bridges, railway station, foot-paths etc. and prepare a plan of action to enumerate during one night operation on 28/2/2011. Since this is a huge task that should be completed in a short time i.e. 4-5 hours during night, this office is making attempts to involve all agencies who are engaged in the welfare of Houseless population. Census of India had approached CYDA for supporting this initiative along with like minded organizations in Pune

In order to achieve the goals effectively, a Meeting was organized today on 10th February at Mahatma Phule Museum, Ghole Road, with Census of India Officials, representatives of NGOs in pune, Youth from CYDA and other colleges like Bharti Vidyapeeth, University of Pune etc.

Organizer: CYDA

Census of India Officials: Ms. Bharti Thakre – Asst. Director, Pravin Ashtekar – Deputy Director, Mr. Shukla – Census Coordinator,

Representatives of Organizations/Institutions : Asha Kiran Foundation, Saheli, Parivartan, NCAS, Basic Needs India, All India Institute of Local Self Government, Shramajivi Muktivadi Yuva Sangathana, Kagad Kach Patra Kashtakari Panchayat, Bharti Vidyapeeth Social Work Students, University of Pune PhD students and Activist Sharda Tai Khomne.

Plans to implement this initiative effectively have been prepared in this meeting. CYDA in association with Census of India is looking forward to join hands with NGOs and make this initiative successful.

The Centre for Youth Development and Activities (CYDA) implements a sanitation project at Shri Bhirwanath Vidhlay and Prerna High School in Maharashtra, India. The two target schools of this project will be provided with toilet facilities and clean water supply to establish a hygienic learning environment for their students. To further create and improve awareness on hygiene the students will receive trainings on reproductive health, gender and hygiene. CYDA plans to showcase these two schools to point out how improvements in the study environment of children and education on health can change dropout rates. Finally CYDA will present these cases to the government to press for better hygienic circumstances at schools and for more education on health related issues.

Health4Change is funding this program through the website of Global Giving. This American based organization allows donors to search ‘grassroots’ projects that endorse social change and economic development all over the world. Global Giving has organized the second ‘Global Open Challenge’ and Health4change has been accepted to beat the following challenge:

Raise $ 4000 through at least 50 different donors by the 26th April 2010

Therefore we would like you to take a look at the following website:

http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/sanitation-and-counseling-for-3000-indian-kids

Here you can find more information on the Health4Change project: we’ve uploaded a business plan, you can see pictures and statements of the current participants and you’ll find a detailed description of the ‘Global Open Challenge’.

Please find below the different donation options given on the Global Giving website:

• $ 10 - 1 hygiene training session in 1 class
• $ 150 - 1 training module of 6 days on reproductive health and gender in 1 class
• $ 300 - 2 urinals in 1 school
• $ 500 - waste water storage system
• $ 1000 - 1 sanitary toilet facility with 4 urinals
• $ 2000 - clean water supply (1 tank + purify system) for 1 schools

Other donations apart from the mentioned suggestions are also possible and most welcome.

All your support has always been of great value for us and therefore we are thanking you all in advance for your numerous contributions to support us once more in realizing our aim!!!

On the 13th of February 2010 Pune was shocked by a bomb blast in the popular hangout ‘German Bakery’ in Koregaon Park. The blast took 17 lives and left 52 injured. Unfortunately friends of Youth4Change members were also killed during the blast

Precisely one month later, on the 13th of March 2010 Youth4Change took the initiative, together with Koregaon Park resident Salil Nashte, to organize a tribute to commemorate the victims of the blast with a film screening and a discussion on our experiences. The film that was screened was captured two weeks after the blast, as Youth4Change members expressed their views on camera. Anurag Rangopal took the initiative and several members but also youngsters from outside CYDA came to explain their feelings, Anurag edited the expressions to a short film

Youth4Change, the youth wing of NGO Centre for Youth Development and Activities organized a talk on women’s issues with a focus on domestic violence on the occasion of the 100th Anniversary of International Woman’s Day. The discussion, facilitated by Ms. Kranti Agnihotri Dabir of the Nari Samata Manch initiated the talk by giving a brief on the history of this day. Thereafter, the youth got an understanding of domestic violence, in its various forms. The social and legal aspects inspired the youth to pose relevant queries, to deepen their perspective. The youth agreed that it is very important for a woman to realize her rights and voice her opinion strongly. The facilitator provided suggestions on what people can do at a personal level if they were to witness a situation of domestic violence. Violence is a vicious cycle and it originates from the womb. Living in the patriarchal system, it is a battle for the woman with herself and the world outside. Gender equality?? Time will tell!