Dia Mirza to WION on International Day for Street Children: Campaigning for them has been the most meaningful thing in my life

April 12 is globally recognised as The International Day for Street Children with an aim to raise awareness about the plight of the street children in the world. Actress Dia Mirza who is an ambassador for NGO Save The Children and is also known for being associated with several social causes spoke to WION in an exclusive chat about how deeply she feels for the cause of the kids, shouldering a responsibility to raise awareness as a celebrity and much more. 

Dia Mirza as part of Save The Children is associated with an upcoming Street Children World Cup tournament that will take place in London. Ahead of the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup in England and Wales (April/May 2019), Street Child United (SCU), a UK based organisation is organising this tournament for street children from various countries. The organisation has previously organised street child tournaments around major sporting festivals like FIFA World Cup in South Africa, Olympics in Brazil, FIFA World Cup Russia and etc.

The selected street children are currently training in Kolkata for the tournament. Watch them train and speak about this golden opportunity:

Speaking to WION, Dia said, “The truth about children who live in the streets is that they are invisible. We see them but we really don’t. The fact that Save The Children through the campaign, The Invisibles, has highlighted how important it is to give these children an identity. It has given me a much stronger sense of purpose in life.”

She added, “It’s been one of the most meaningful things that I have been able to do with my life, to be able to campaign for these children and draw people’s attention to the fact that these children cannot remain invisible. They must get an opportunity to get basics of life.”

On exploring her other side where she champions social cases, Dia said, “I am human. I just respond to what’s happening around me. As a celebrity I have privilege, I just have to use that. There is nothing that adds more meaning to my life, than the ability to make a difference.”

Someone who is known for raising awareness for the environment and children, she said, “I care deeply about how the environment affects all of us, how degradation, pollution affects our life, our health and I really care about children. They are my favourite people. I don't understand at a basic human level, how we can allow ourselves to give children the kind of world that we are.”