Chinnu was once invisible to his community, a child with disability, overlooked and left behind. But his story, shared through a puppet show in Lucknow’s colleges, became a turning point for thousands of students who now see inclusion not as charity, but as justice.

In a powerful move toward building a more compassionate and inclusive society, Caritas India, in collaboration with Social Work partner in Lucknow, launched a Resource Mobilization and Disability Awareness campaign across three prominent colleges i.e. Loreto Intermediate College, St. Dominic Savio, and St. Paul College reaching over 3,000 students and staff in multiple sessions.

The core objective was to sensitize youth to the challenges faced by Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and mobilize them to become allies for inclusion. The event combined education, storytelling, and interactive performances to engage hearts and minds alike.

The sessions opened with a stirring address by Fr. Ronald, Partner Director, who urged students to become changemakers and emphasized that inclusion begins with opportunity and participation.

A representative from Caritas India, Animesh, introduced the organization’s vision, mission, and key thematic areas with a special focus on Project CHETANA, a nationwide campaign aiming to reach 10,000 PWDs.

Ms. Sangita from Caritas India led a detailed session on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being. She walked students through the 21 officially recognized disabilities, shared prevalence data across India and Uttar Pradesh, and explained major legislative frameworks like the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (2016), Rehabilitation Council of India Act (1992), Mental Health Act (1987), and National Trust Act (1999). Practical tips on appropriate behavior, Dos and Don’ts while interacting with PWDs were also shared.

A moving case study on Stephen Hawking, paired with the real-life story of a child with Osteogenesis Imperfecta supported by Caritas, drove home the message that resilience and dignity transcend disability.

But it was Chinnu’s story, performed through a lively puppet show, that truly captured the audience. The tale of a marginalized child with disability, transformed by a compassionate teacher who started a local school, powerfully illustrates how empathy and small acts of kindness can spark systemic change. Characters like Jhokhim Chacha, Chinnu’s family, and Teacher Didi brought the message of inclusion, hope, and collective action to life.

As a lasting takeaway, students received bookmarks carrying key messages on disability rights, inclusion, and how children can help make their environments more accessible and barrier-free.

The 90-minute event concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks and a call to action, inviting students to support Caritas India’s mission through donations, volunteering, and awareness-building.

Through this impactful initiative, Caritas India have not only educated young minds, they’ve inspired future leaders to build a world where no one is left behind.