About Us
32 years of children leading change
Shaishav’s journey began in 1995 when a landmark survey in Bhavnagar revealed that over 12,800 children, some as young as seven, were engaged in 106 forms of child labour. What started as an effort to bring children out of labour and into school has since evolved into a broader movement for children’s rights.
For over three decades, Shaishav has worked to ensure children have access to education, protection, participation, and equality. Through child-centred, participatory approaches and children’s collectives like Bal Sena, children develop leadership, confidence, and voice.
Today, Shaishav works in Bhavnagar city and the tribal regions of Narmada district, reaching over 7 lakh children and creating spaces where they can learn, grow, and shape their own futures.
Every child is valued, respected & accepted as they are.
Children are at the core of everything we do. We see their needs holistically, recognising that their development and well-being are shaped by many interconnected factors. Our work focuses on creating safe, enabling spaces where children can learn, grow and flourish. Through a participatory, child rights-based approach, children themselves take the lead in identifying their needs, expressing their voices and shaping their own futures.
Our Approach
CHILD-CENTRIC
Every child is valued, respected & accepted as they are.
ADAPTIVE
Every experience is an opportunity to learn, adapt & enhance our interventions to stay relevant in a constantly evolving world.
PARTICIPATORY
Children decide what and how they learn, fostering ownership and lifelong learning.
PREVENTIVE
Early intervention instills confidence & self-respect, reducing risky behaviours.
MICRO & MACRO LEVEL ENGAGEMENT
Amplifying children’s voices in policy discussions at national & international levels.
SCALABLE
A proven model that can be replicated in other parts of India & the world
SUSTAINABLE IMPACT
Values instilled in children create lasting change, shaping future generations and communities.
SELF & SOCIETY
Children understand themselves, their rights and role as citizens & drive positive change in their communities.
Our Journey
Child labour in Bhavnagar
A landmark child labour survey by Shaishav identified 12,800 children working in 106 occupations, shaping the organisation’s early mission.
Formation of Balsena
Building awareness on child rights, exposure and leadership led to the formation of Gujarat’s first democratic children’s collective
Expanding Children’s Voice
- First Children’s Convention hosted by Shaishav and Balsena with 2200 children from across Gujarat.
- Launched SETU – a Child Rights Resource Centre.
- First National Children’s Consultation hosted by Shaishav and Bal Sena. Led to the creation of the National Forum for Child Participation (NFCP).
Strengthening Partnerships
Shaishav began amplifying children’s voices through consultations and campaigns. The National Forum for Child Participation was formally launched nationally.
Launched Aaranyak for Tribal Children
On our 25th anniversary, Shaishav expanded to the aspirational Narmada district through Aaranyak, bringing its child-centred model to tribal children
30 Years of Children Leading Change
Shaishav celebrates three decades of work, reaching over 7 lakh children and continuing to create spaces where children learn, lead and thrive.
Bal Dost Fellowship
In an effort to scale up the child-rights centric model, the Bal Dost Fellowship nurtures young leaders to create safe, joyful spaces that children love. Fellows learn to work with children as partners, strengthening participation and leadership.
Our Impact
In the last 3 decades, our work has touched over
children empowered through Bal Sena
tribal children impacted through Aaranyak
children enrolled back in school until 2016
girls trained in self-defence
organisations partnered with for knowledge & skill sharing
78%
Reduction in Child Labour
100%
Eradication of Child Marriage
90%
Reduction in substance abuse
The Founders
Parul Sheth is a globally recognized social leader, honored with the Fulbright Humphrey, Ashoka, CRY, and Aspire Fellowships. She is an executive member of various state and national networks. Her work in child rights & women empowerment has earned her major accolades, including Champaben Gondhiya Award, 100 Growth Engines of Gujarat & Woman of Substance
Falgun Sheth is a nationally respected grassroots leader whose work has shaped child rights policy and practice across Gujarat. He is honored with Ashoka and CRY Fellowship. From his early leadership in the youth movements, work in SEWA-Rural to contributions to UNICEF and GCERT thinktanks, government committees, task forces, and child rights networks, he is a leading voice on child rights in India.
