Campaign Story
About the project
The children and their families from 4 urban slums in Ranchi, Jharkhand, are under the constant threat of rapid urbanization. They are victims of eviction, displacement, flooding, lack of safety, and unstable parental income. Child labor is a prevalent issue in this community due to high poverty levels. Children aged 6-18 years often drop out of school to support their family, either by working as cheap laborers or by looking after their siblings and doing household chores. Children work in hotels, garages, and even as rag pickers at dumping grounds. Child marriage is also practiced in this community due to parental fear of children eloping. Children aged 3 to 6 years are irregular in attending Anganwadi Centers (AWCs) for preschool education because these centers operate from the homes of Anganwadi Workers (AWWs).
Making a difference
CRY America’s project in Ranchi works at facilitating access to education and protection for children living in the four urban slums in the area. Key activities under this project include identifying drop-out children, counseling them for re-enrollment, setting up remedial classes, providing parental counseling on child labor and child marriage issues, and linking children with government programs. Another focus area is forming Children Collectives and Adolescent Girls’ Collectives to address issues of dropouts, menstrual hygiene, child labor and child marriage.
The way forward
● Ensure the retention of 188 children in schools with the support of education campaign.
● Enroll 83 children aged 15-18 in schools.
● Conduct Life Skills Sessions with the participation of 44 children.
● Capacity building of 2 School Management Committee (SMCs) to sensitize them on quality education.
● Provide academic support to 20 more children at the Child Activity Centers (CACs).
● Ensure 10 vulnerable families to receive safety kits.
● Link 10 children to scholarship opportunities.
● Renew the old-age pension cards of 10 identified families.
● Conduct regular meetings with 4 Adolescent Groups to sensitize them on child rights.
Project Impact
27
School Management Committee (SMC) members sensitized on education.
81
Children enrolled in CACs.
6
Child laborers aged 6-18 identified and enrolled in CACs.
3
Child laborers aged 6-14 rescued and enrolled in schools.
32
Children benefited from a government education program.
237
Community members benefited from a social security program.
44
Children received life skills training.
Current Year’s Approved Grant :
Last Year’s Grant Disbursed (Jan to Dec, 2023) – $297,425
