Project People’s Organisation for Rural Development (PORD)

Campaign Story

About the project

There are many areas in Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh that are deeply rural. The sub-districts have no government hospitals. 66% villages do not have access to primary schools, children have to travel 1 to 5 kms to reach school. The hamlets do not have adequate roads, public transport and safe drinking water.

Making a difference

CRY America project PORD started activities such as monitoring Anganwadi centers while ensuring re-enrolment of dropout children. Awareness programmes and life skill sessions were conducted as part of children’s collectives. Through PORD’s work, thousands of children are actively engaged in children’s collectives to change the course of their own lives as well as those of their peers.

Action During COVID-19 Times

● To prevent the cases of child marriage and child labour team conducted online convergence meetings as physical meetings were not possible during the COVID-19 times
● COVID support group was formed by the team to support villagers overcome the COVID-19 crisis

The way forward

● Mainstream 31+ child labor into schools.
● Form new Adolescent Girls’ Groups.
● Preparing 10 Anganwadi teachers in their school readiness program
● Ensure re enrolment of Drop out children (6-14 and 15-18)
● Ensure improved infrastructure facilities in schools
● Conduct life-skills sessions for children in 450 children in child collectives & 350 children in adolescent collectives

2022 Plan Highlights

● Mainstream child labor into schools.
● Enrolling 450 children in children’s collectives.
● Preparing 10 Anganwadi teachers in their school readiness program.

2021 Grant Disbursed = $39,586

Project Impact

Dropouts mainstreamed

20

Dropouts mainstreamed

Children received minority scholarship

220

Children received minority scholarship

schools- infrastructure improved

17

Schools- infrastructure improved

child laborers mainstreamed

61

Child laborers mainstreamed

life skill sessions conducted

345

Life skill sessions conducted

children of 10th grade received career guidance

429

Children of 10th grade received career guidance

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Last Year’s Grant Disbursed : $39,586

Current Year’s Approved Grant

Education$15,886

Administration$6,974

Protection$15,886

Total Budget$38,746

Ragini’s persistent efforts to continue her education even after child marriage

Ragini lives with her parents and six younger siblings in a small house. Her parents are daily wage laborers. She was studying in class 10, and when the schools were closed due to lockdown, she returned to her house. During the pandemic, her parents could not find work within the village. They struggled to provide food for all their children. Therefore they decided to get the eldest daughter Ragini married so that she would be able to live a better life, which would also reduce the burden on the family.

When Ragini heard about this, she immediately conveyed the message to her friends, who reported the marriage to PORD staff during the child collective meeting. PORD team members along with local leaders from the Covid support group went to Ragini’s house and explained to the parents the implications of child marriage. Despite the efforts of the Community and PORD members, Ragini’s parents were not convinced.

In September, Ragini’s parents conducted her marriage in the Anantapur district at the groom’s village. Even the neighbors were not aware of the wedding. After one week, they came to the village along with Ragini and her husband.

PORD team, Covid support group members, and local leaders immediately reached out to the family and spoke to them about how this would impact Ragini’s life. They discussed with the groom and their family for three successive days to develop a solution to help Ragini complete her education.

Finally, the family decided for Ragini to complete her education and enrolled her in school once the schools reopened after the pandemic.

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