About Balaknama
Balaknama, meaning “Voice of the Children”, is a powerful and unique newsletter written by street and working children for street and working children. Born out of the persistent neglect, injustice, and invisibility faced by marginalized children, Balaknama emerged as a platform where their voices could no longer be silenced.
Established with the belief that every child deserves dignity, identity, and participation, Balaknama provides children with the tools to express their realities, struggles, achievements, and dreams. This platform challenges societal norms, reshapes perceptions, and empowers children to take charge of their own narratives.
With the support of dedicated mentors and child rights advocates, Balaknama has grown from a small initiative into a powerful movement of self-expression and social awareness.
Vision
To build a world where every street and working child is seen, heard, and respected — with equal opportunities for participation, protection, and development.
Mission
- To amplify the voices of street and working children through participatory journalism.
- To promote awareness of their rights, challenges, and aspirations.
- To encourage identity, dignity, and inclusion by enabling children to tell their own stories.
- To foster leadership, confidence, and critical thinking among marginalized youth.
Our Team
- Balaknama team is consisting of young children who either lived or presently living life in difficult circumstances. These children have witnessed hardship in life, but their courage has converted them into reporters, who are hungry for change.
- The team consist of 1 advisor, 1 editor, 1 sub editor, 7 reporters and 30 Batuni (who gives lead of story but can’t read or write) reporters.
- The team is spread into seven districts of northern India and meets weekly for editorial meeting.
