Project Andaman and Nicobar Islands – Direct Intervention

Campaign Story

About the project

Four hamlets in the Middle Andaman and Little Andaman Islands are home to over 750 households with approximately 940 children. Lack of infrastructure and financial support are major factors contributing to child dropouts. Limited access to higher education and poor parental interest in completing their children’s education further compound the issues, leading to child labor and child marriages. Many children in these hamlets engage in fishing to support their families. Additionally, the vicious cycle of poverty severely impacts their health, with many suffering from malnutrition; 67% of girls aged 10-19 years are anemic. CRY America aims to provide adequate educational facilities, nutrition awareness programs, and healthcare access to 4 villages in Port Blair.

Making a difference

CRY America Project Direct Implementation Andaman & Nicobar Islands, is working to facilitate education and encourage the re-enrollment of dropout children. Key activities include identifying dropout children, forming children collectives for community impact, organizing support classes and running awareness campaigns to counsel parents on encouraging education and reducing malnutrition through better home management practices.

The way forward

● Identify 120 dropout children, re-enroll them, and provide supplementary education through 4 centers.
● Collect and assess health and nutrition data from 1,000 families in the community.
● Establish 3 children and adolescent collectives and conduct life skills modules sessions for them.
● Work with all 120 children to develop leadership skills and enhance their agency through life skills and sports.
● Conduct environmental awareness sessions for 50 children using nature walks and mangrove explorations.

Project Impact

Children enrolled in 3 supplementary tuition centers

57

children enrolled in 3 supplementary tuition centers

Children participated in extracurricular activities

107

children participated in extracurricular activities

Children took part in two environmental awareness sessions

57

children took part in two environmental awareness sessions

Parents attended sessions on child rights and the importance of education

51

parents attended sessions on child rights and the importance of education

Children participated in awareness sessions on child labor, child marriage, and school enrollment

103

children participated in awareness sessions on child labor, child marriage, and school enrollment

Dropouts were identified, and 3 were re-enrolled in school

37

dropouts were identified, and 3 were re-enrolled in school

Current Year’s Approved Grant (Jan to Dec 2024): $23,888

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Last Year’s Grant Disbursed (Jan to Dec, 2023) – $297,425

From collecting mica to aspiring to join the military

12 years old, Badri Routh, lived in a small village of Jharkhand. After his father’s accidental demise, his mother found it challenging to run a family of five by working at a brick factory. To ease up his mother’s efforts, Badri, the eldest, started working in a mica factory. His desire for learning caught the attention of CRY America’s CARC (Child Adolescent Research Center) through the children’s collective in his village. When Badri met with the project team, he expressed his willingness to study despite the financial constraints. The team counselled him along with his mother. He got to know about the facilities available at the CARC including free books, computer courses, and support tuitions.

With a vision to end their vicious cycle of poverty, Badri’s mother agreed to re-enrol him in middle school. Badri has now learnt the basics of computer applications like MS Office and uses them to optimize his tasks. Badri has also applied for the Sponsorship Scholarship for Children of Single Parents, a scheme run by the Jharkhand Government.

Badri’s success does not stop with his journey back to school. He takes care of his fitness with his stunning football skills as he dreams to join the Indian Army after completing his education.

*Name changed to protect child’s identity and AI generated pic used.

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