While most children spent their summer chasing, playing, and playing video games, nearly 500 young minds across Kerala picked up brushes, mics, and courage instead, to fight one of the gravest threats to their generation: drug abuse.

At the heart of this transformation is Caritas India’s Sajeevam Anti-Drug Campaign, a bold, grassroots initiative redefining how Kerala approaches substance abuse prevention. It’s not just an awareness program; it’s a movement where children become change agents, turning summer breaks into seasons of purpose.

The Sajeevam Summer Camps, held across multiple parishes and towns, have emerged as a vibrant antidote to the rising menace of drug addiction. These are no ordinary camps. They blend art, awareness, advocacy, and community handholding, engaging young people in deep, creative ways that resonate long after the sessions.

The spark was lit in Vijayapuram, where the campaign launched on April 14, 2025, with an expert-led resource training. Led by campaign state coordinator Mr. Sajo Joy, along with Ms. Greeshma from Don Bosco’s Dreams and Mr. Sebastian, the team equipped parish-level volunteers with practical knowledge on addiction psychology, peer resistance, and child engagement.

From there, the campaign fanned out, reaching parishes across districts. “Our goal is simple,” says Sajo Joy. “Catch them young, educate them early, and empower them to become protectors of their own futures.”

One standout example is the Kalimannu Camp, a collaborative endeavour by Chetana FM 90.8 and Gandhi Bhavan, Pathanapuram. Over five days, 180 children participated in dialogues, games, theatre, and testimonial sessions, all anchored in the theme of drug resistance.

An emotional high came when Assistant Excise Inspector Jayaraj V delivered an impassioned session. “These children are our front line. If we arm them with the truth now, they can fight back before addiction ever finds them.”

The crescendo of the summer campaign echoed through the Lahiri-virudha Painting Competition on May 10 in Kayamkulam. More than 100 young artists turned blank canvases into declarations of resistance. With the support of the Kayamkulam Police, Chetana FM, and local Residents’ Associations, the event was both an awareness rally and a creative outcry.

Presided over by Fr. Francis Plavarakunnel and inaugurated by DYSP Mr. Babukuttan, the contest featured painting mentorship from renowned artist Mr. Sajan. The result? A gallery of hope. “This wasn’t just about painting, this was about waking up,” said one teenage participant. “I now see how I can help my friends avoid falling into the trap.”

The Sajeevam Campaign’s magic lies not just in its events but also in its community handholding and inter-agency synergy. From street plays and school programs to radio talks and rallies, Sajeevam has united NGOS, local police, schools, and the media in a collective stand.

According to Fr. Francis, “When you educate a child, you’re actually shaping an entire community. Sajeevam gives our children the tools, the voice, and the platform to lead.”

In a time when digital temptations and peer pressure are only a scroll away, Caritas India’s Sajeevam Campaign is writing a different story—one of resilience, early intervention, and community-backed change.

As Kerala’s children return to school this year, they don’t just carry books in their bags; they carry a mission: to stay drug-free and bring others along with them.