Project Margadarshi

Campaign Story

About the project

Chittapur block of Kalaburagi district in Karnataka faces issues of child protection due to poverty. This forces children to remain out of school. Parents migrate in search of livelihood and children accompany them, which results in drop outs and child labor. There is a severe gap in education as the access to schools itself is a challenge for children with only a few government schools and poor infrastructure.

Making a difference

CRY America’s project Margadarshi works towards enrolling 3 to 6 years children in preschool, transitioning children from preschool to primary school, sensitizing the School Development and Monitoring Committee
(SDMC)
members, and rescuing child laborers. The key activities taking place under the project are engaging children in learning and games, regular meetings with Anganwadi teachers, motivating parents and teachers, and encouraging SDMC members to follow up on schools to ensure COVID-19 prevention guidelines.

The way forward

● Ensuring 165 out of school and drop out children enrolled in school
● Ensuring transition to higher grade for 161 children
● Rescuing 40 child labors and re-enrolling them in school
● Ensure 100 children in 3-6 years age attend pre-school
● Sensitize community children on protection issues of child labor, child marriage, child sexual abuse, trafficking etc.
● Mobilize village level stakeholders on child protection issues
● Link vulnerable children with child protection schemes

Project Impact

children were enrolled in Anganwadis

132

Children were enrolled in Anganwadi

learning tuition type centers were formed during closure of Anganwadis due to lockdown with the support of local volunteers and engaged children learning activities

17

School enrolment drives organized

active members attending and contributing to SDMCs

29

Community level meetings were organized on child protection issues

school dropout children re-enrolled in schools

30

Child laborers have been mainstreamed back in school

community level meetings were organized

100

Meetings of children collectives on child protection topics were conducted

Donate To Project

Last year’s budget: $30,112

Current Year’s Approved Grant

Education$25,250

Administration$4,500

Total Budget$29,750

From Dropout to Merit Scholar: Shashikala’s Journey of Determination

Shashikala came from a family of daily wage laborers in a small village of Kalburagi district, who were landless and struggled to make ends meet.

Despite challenges, she was a bright student and had dreams of completing her education and achieving great things. However, due to the post-COVID pandemic effects, her father had to take loans to provide for the family. The instability in their livelihood had taken a toll on her studies. She also had to travel 7 kms one way to attend school, which did not have proper transportation, making it difficult for her to attend regularly.

As a result, Shashikala was forced to drop out of school during her 7th standard, and like her elder brothers, she too had to engage in labor activities to contribute to the family income. The extreme poverty and desperate conditions had shattered her dreams of completing her education and achieving a better life.

Fortunately, Shashikala’s life took a turn for the better when a community organizer stepped in to help her. The organizer motivated and re-enrolled Shashikala in school for the National Means Merit Scholarship (NMMS) exams, which she cleared with good merit. This was a turning point for her.

The road ahead was not easy, as several rounds of meetings and counseling had to be held with Shashikala, her family, and money lenders who were forcing and torturing the family on repayment of loans. The team visited the school and met with the Headmaster, explaining Shashikala’s story and ensuring that she was admitted to the 9th standard.

With the support of the community organizer, Shashikala was able to overcome the challenges that had once forced her to drop out of school. She was determined to continue her studies and pursue her dreams of a better life. The journey ahead would be tough, but Shashikala was ready to face it with courage and determination.

Donate To Project