Project Darjeeling – Direct Intervention

Campaign Story

About the project

As Darjeeling is globally recognized for its tea plantation, the livelihood of majority people depends on the tea gardens. The families here, are mostly casual daily wage earners. The children are deprived of education as most of them are first-generation learners due to financial constraints. 92% of the children (5 year olds) have never attended pre-primary schools whereas 59% of women have not completed their schooling.

Making a difference

CRY America’s project in Darjeeling, works towards the enrolment and retention of children in school. The project also focuses on reduction of child labor in the community. They run Child Activity Centres (CAC) and non-academic activities like livelihood opportunities, entrepreneurship planning, yoga classes, photography sessions, and career counselling to broaden their career spectrum. The key activities include identification of children between 3 to 6 years of age who are not enrolled in schools, home visits and motivating the dropout children to attend online education sessions.

The way forward

● Install TV with Education App in 6 schools to educate 1840 children for minimum 2 hours per day after classes
● To provide support to teachers and students on using the Education App on TV
● Conduct support classes for 300 children in Child Activity Centres
● Conduct learning assessment of 300 children who are attending classes at the Child Activity Centres
● Organise 4 non-academic activities per year at the Child Activity Centres on topics like entrepreneurship and skill development, photography, yoga sessions, career planning etc.

Project Impact

Children Transition to 1st Grade

503

Children attending Digital Learning Centers

Children Enrolled for Primary Education

298

Children enrolled in 2 Child Activity Centers

Children Enrolled for Secondary Education

3

Teachers trained to facilitate Digital Learning classes

Children Attended Bridge Classes

210

children attended bridge classes

School Management Committee (SMC) members received training on school development plans

21

School Management Committee (SMC) members received training on school development plans

Adolescent Collectives Members Sensitized on Education Issues

241

adolescent collectives members sensitized on education issues

Current Year’s Approved Grant (April to Dec 2024): $5,646

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.

Donate To Project