The news start-up where all the reporters are under 14
In a world that is messy and chaotic, Scrappy News Service's kids are trying to find solutions to some of the biggest problems to make the world a better place. Run by 10-14 year-olds from underprivileged families, Scrappy News discusses issues like sanitation, global-warming, and waste management. Headquartered in a Mumbai fishing village, Scrappy News Service has 2,100 young reporters across India. Here's more!
Scrappy News Service launched in November
Scrappy News Service is an initiative by Delhi-based NGO, Going To School (GTS). The Mumbai-headquartered news service was launched on Children's Day (14 November). It is run in a makeshift newsroom mainly built out of scrap. It has two anchors from Mumbai slums and as many as 2,100 reporters across Mumbai; Karnataka's Bengaluru, Tumkur, and Mangaluru; 22 towns in Bihar; and Punjab's Jalandhar.
"Made in India" news service: Founder
Scrappy News Service runs hour-long news-cum-talk shows that focus on issues specific to India. They have 10 videos on their website and 50 videos on the official Scrappy News YouTube channel, which has 1,066 subscribers. GTS Founder-Director, British-American Lisa Heydlauff, says, "Everything from the issues and solutions...is made in India and revolves around the many good and little bad things about this country."
What does "Scrappy" mean?
Heydlauff says: "To be Scrappy, means changing the world with whatever you have. You don't need to speak English or have access to top-notch gadgets; you just need to have a head full of ideas and the enthusiasm to execute it."
Training sessions with well-known anchors, reporters
Scrappy News scripts are written by children with some help from GTS workers. They not only talk about issues but also discuss simple solutions. They mostly focus on issues like building toilets, sanitation, waste segregation, global warming; their guests usually include plumbers, carpenters, electricians, and parents. They received appreciation from top journalists like Rajdeep Sardesai, Dhanya Rajendran (The News Minute), and Nidhi Razdan (NDTV).
About NGO Going to School
Heydlauff came to India to write a book for children about 19 years ago and then decided to stay here. She started Going to School in 2003, for promoting innovation and entrepreneurship in children coming from underprivileged families. The NGO has presence in three states. Heydlauff said, "While education is important, kids also need to know how to tackle issues..come up with sustainable ideas."
"Kids were brimming with ideas to bring about a change"
Heydlauff said: "Scrappy News started with the idea of showing parents that their kids were fearless, full of creativity and could break down complex issues in their own way to come up with solutions. Then we realized..we needed to take this out to the world."
