Project Adarsh Seva Sansthan (ASES)

Campaign Story

About the project

CRY America’s Project ASES is working in the urban slum of Jamshedpur, Jharkhand where there are zero infrastructural facilities available in 25 urban slums. All the centers are run from Anganwadi Workers’ own houses. Children in these vulnerable urban segments often indulge in risky behaviors like gradually dropping out of school, being irregular to classes, finding ways of earning quick money, indulgence in romanticism which further leads to elopement and then marriage.

Making a difference

The project team has been constantly working with consistent efforts being provided via capacity building programs, community mobilizations, interim support and liasoning and advocacy struggles. The efforts are being made by enrollment of children and retention of children in schools. Preventive programs have been implemented to address child labor and child marriage. The key activities in the project are regular tracking and identification of children in labor, irregular in schools, drop outs, enrollment and motivational camp for the identified drop-outs, home visit, counseling of dropout children & their parents as well as capacity building of children on digital safety.

Action during COVID times

● Two phases of training was done for the staffs on how to conduct psycho-social well-being training with children

The way forward

● Operationalizing 3 Children Activity Resource Centre (CARC) primarily focusing on quality education for 180 children
● 100% regular tracking of 4456 children and identification of children indulged in labor work, irregular from schools, dropouts
● 9 meetings with their parents regarding Right to Education (RTE) admission
● Meetings of children & adolescent collective on protection issues like child marriage, child labour, unsafe migration , substance abuse in 23 slums
● Preventive programs implemented in 23 urban slums for addressing child labour and child marriage
● Conduct 17 sessions involving the local urban bodies, school teachers and parents on child marriage related issues

Project Impact

enrollment done for out – of – school children between the age groups of 15 to 18 years

82%

Enrolment done for out – of – school children 6 to 14 years

eligible households linked with e-shram cards

3201

Eligible households linked with e-shram cards

children rescued from labor work

14

Children rescued from labor work

slums out of 23 have become child marriage free

70

Child marriage cases reverted

Adolescents from collectives trained on life skills modules

100%

Adolescents from collectives trained on life skills modules

Last Year’s Grant Disbursed: $19,743

Current Year’s Approved Grant

Education$17,389

Administration$4,343

Total Budget$21,732

Dipali’s Journey to Education and Empowerment

Dipali, a 14-year-old girl residing in Birsa Basti, Jamshedpur, had faced numerous challenges in her life. Her father left the family, leaving her mother to shoulder the economic responsibilities alone. Her mother worked as a construction laborer and took up domestic help jobs to support her family. Dipali had four siblings – three sisters and two brothers. Despite the hardships, she remained determined to create a better future for herself.

She was studying in the 6th standard and became involved with Bal Sangathan, a children’s collective. The collective meetings provided her with life skills sessions and raised awareness about various child rights issues, including child labor and child marriage. Dipali actively participated in these meetings, realizing the importance of education and her rights as a child.

Sometime later, unfortunately she got involved in bad company, which led her to drop out of school. In order to make some money, she soon started working as domestic help. The collective members along with the project team intervened and provided counseling support to her, encouraging her to continue her education. However, her involvement in Bal Sangathan meetings dwindled, and the situation took a troubling turn.

Subsequently, her family and the team discussed a plan to ensure her continued education and prevent further distractions. However, Dipali’s family faced economic constraints that hindered their ability to support her education. The team stepped in and arranged for her admission to school. The school offered remedial classes and comprehensive support for one year. Afterward, the students were admitted to other English medium schools on full scholarships.

Initially, Dipali was upset and struggled during her first month at the new school. There were times when she attempted to run away or went without food for the entire day. However, as time passed, she began to make new friends and started adjusting to her new environment. CRY team members accompanied her parents and provided continuous encouragement and guidance during their visits, emphasizing the importance of studying diligently.

Currently, Dipali is comfortable and happily studying

Project Photo Gallery