Bhubaneswar: A group of fifteen underprivileged children embarked on an inspiring journey to the SOA Community Radio 90.4 studio this past Saturday, eager to share their life experiences and aspirations for a brighter tomorrow. Overflowing with enthusiasm for their inaugural radio tour, these children opened up about the challenges they’ve encountered while living on the streets and their relentless pursuit of a dignified existence.
Among them, Bandhua Deogam, aged 15, bravely recounted his battle with substance abuse and his triumphant journey towards sobriety, now finding solace in the corridors of education. Laxmi Reddy, also fifteen, currently navigating through tenth grade, disclosed her past entanglement in child labor, while twelve-year-old Kanha Singh revealed his own struggle with addiction, having successfully liberated himself from its clutches.
During the engaging dialogue with the radio hosts, the children delved into pressing issues such as drug dependency, early marriage, sexual exploitation, and the plight of child labor. “Our circumstances dictated our actions, not our choices,” expressed one of the children, encapsulating the coercion they faced.
Ms. Honey Patnaik, the Officer-in-charge of SOA Community Radio 90.4, emphasized the importance of such radio programs in nurturing the latent creativity of these marginalized youth. She highlighted the station’s commitment to facilitating their journey towards holistic development, envisioning a future where they emerge as compassionate individuals.
This transformative radio tour was orgarnized by ‘Ashayen Odisha’, a non-governmental organization dedicated to uplifting street children, underscoring their tireless efforts in empowering the vulnerable segments of society.
