We become more active during Diwali for Social cause. While distributing sweets, clothes, education material, etc. among the extremely poor families of the most deprived children engaged in selling articles/begging/roaming on the road, we also undertake awareness and education campaigns on health, hygiene, and importance of family planning amongst such poor families.
As a part of our modus operandi, we strengthen our affectionate bonding with the targeted children and their families by gifting them with sweets, clothes, education material, nutrition kits, etc. on such occasions with love. We avail the opportunity, discuss certain issues related to their families, and simultaneously motivate them for education of such kids (especially the girls), and family planning through one-on-one interactions.
Education of the most deprived children engaged in selling articles/begging/roaming on the road is complex and it involves deep rooted complex layers of and utter social, cultural psychological, educational and economical backwardness of certain communities. Many of such families belong to backward and marginalized communities and within them, mostly are from Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Vimukta Jatis (De-notified Castes) and Nomadic Tribes (VJ&NT) categories. of such kids is a herculean, time taking, costly and fraught with difficulties. This complex issue demands a holistic approach, addressing inherent and very deep-rooted social, cultural, psychological, educational, and economic backwardness and disparities of these communities.
Our commitment is driven by the conviction that every child deserves access to quality education and a chance to thrive. It is herculean, tough task and we exert a lot and do our best through counselling of such parents during Diwali.
We also take drives, put appeals in certain housing societies and personally request the friends, and collect clothes, education materials, stationary items, etc. and distribute to the poor needy people, staying in open areas, under the plastic shelter, slums and in remote areas.
Like earlier, during Diwali-2024 also, we took the drive ‘Diwali Celebration for a Social cause’ and did whatever was possible.
Through our long term Action Research Project on “Exploring Access to Education for the Most Deprived Children engaged in selling articles/begging/roaming on the Road”, we distributed clothes, educational materials, sweets, ration kits, etc. to the families of such children. We also did counselling for sending their children to school, family planning, health and hygiene.
We also collected old cloths and education related material for distribution among such families.
Our Action Research Project extends beyond enhancing educational opportunities to advocating policies that comprehensively address the crucial need for rescue of these most vulnerable children in a holistic manner through education. And ensuring sustainable solutions for the future of these children.
Our commitment is driven by the conviction that every child deserves access to quality education and a chance to thrive.
We worked diligently during the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic and established strong connections with these families and their children through various innovative entry-point activities. We kept increasing our one-on-one interactions with the parents. Through persistent and patient counselling, we built trust and motivated children by providing:
- Uniforms and Nutrition kits
- Education and Hygiene material
We also supported the parents by felicitating them and providing them with essential basic items like clothing, ration kits, medical aid etc.
We worked persistently and patiently and convinced the parents, conducted fieldwork and procured necessary documents to obtain age certificates and AADHAR registrations of identified children; organized their multiple visits to various residential schools; ensuring families understood and supported this opportunity. Our dedicated efforts led to:
- 189 children enrolled in residential government schools
- 27 children enrolled in non-government schools
Despite these achievements, the challenge remained. Many children dropped out, returning to their previous lives on the roads and streets. Undeterred, we continued counselling and motivation, successfully re-enrolling only 4 children out of the 212 dropouts.
Every year we enhance our efforts during Diwali.
