Report and pics from Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai (RD)

Mumbai, Jun 18: “At every Marriot International branded hotel, the ‘spirit to serve’ is at the heart of our company’s culture.  One of the key principals in our ‘spirit to serve’ initiatives is working towards the empowerment and betterment of children the world over.  Child Rights and You (CRY) needs no introduction, it was our first choice to join hands with them when we were looking out for our ‘spirit to serve’ partner.  Active and passionate about ensuring the rights of children, CRY and Marriott together, for the last one year have initiated as well as created an awareness on issues concerning child rights and how we as a business entity can play a very vital role, by lending our support and resources towards the betterment of our children and society as a whole.” said Guy Godet, chairman of Marriott business council, here during the press conference on Monday June 18.

Irwin Fernandes, regional director of CRY, speaking at the occasion, said, "In the last year alone, CRY’s work touched the lives of nearly 5 lac children across India.  Along with our NGO partners and the people of 2500 villages and slums across India, the government services, such as schools, health centers and employment schemes were activated, so that India’s most marginalized children get the opportunities that should available for all children to live, learn and grow.  This kind of work is made possible with support from partners such as the Marriott Group.  We really appreciate Marriott India Group’s initiative to partner on children’s rights.”

Sikandar Kher, the celebrity partner for the event, said, “I believe that ordinary people like you and me are the real heroes, and our small act is what can make India a true leader in every sense.  Congratulations to Marriott for standing up for children's rights and to CRY for involving people in the efforts to sure that the basic advantages of development reach out to those who are left out of India’s development.” 

Marriott India has partnered with Child Rights and You (CRY), in a unique programme that enables guests staying at any of the Marriott properties across India to choose to add Rs 100 to their bill, as a contribution to CRY.  A total of Rs 27 lac has been contributed by guests aptly enabled in the Marriott Group.  The contribution to CRY has been used to make sure children in the 2500 villages and slums. CRY and its partners work jointly to have full access to all basic rights, such as schools, health facilities and gainful employment for adults.  

Impact – Last Year 

• In the last year alone, CRY’s work transformed the lives of nearly 5 lac children
• 143 government primary schools were activated
• 440 villages reported 100 per cent enrolment of children
• 102 villages were declared 100 per cent free of child labour

Such a scale of work is possible with support from partners such as Marriott India Group.

CRY earlier known as Child Relief and You, is India’s leading advocate for child rights.  Over 29 years CRY has partnered with NGOs, communities, government and the media and is dedicated to mobilizing all sections of society to eliminate the root causes of deprivation, exclusion, exploitation and abuse.