Project Samvedna

Campaign Story

About the project

Girl children from Bedia community are at multiple risks and vulnerabilities as the community is engaged in commercial sex as primary source of livelihood. Girls in the age group of 10-15 years are most susceptible to be pushed into commercial sex by family, thus being denied of education. This leads to early pregnancies, physical abuse, malnutrition and other psychological problems.

Making a difference

CRY America’s Project Samvedna has a two-pronged approach – working with the survivors for their rehabilitation and reintegration, and prioritizing prevention for the vulnerable members of the community through advocacy and direct intervention. Education has been taken as a primary tool along with mentoring and counseling. The key activities are running children activity centers, establishing digital learning centers, connecting vulnerable children to open school, awareness generation with parents and the community on back-to-school safety and back to school campaigns in the villages.

Action during COVID times

● 1682 masks, 600 soaps and 24 sanitizers distributed in 12 villages across 5 districts
● Distribution of thermal scanner and oximeter in every village plus training done on how to use the same for all staff members
● Distribution of hygiene kits to ASHA and Anganwadi worker
● 6 villages disinfected in coordination with Gram Panchayats, health screening of 30 people returning to their villages
● Initiatives to spread information and awareness about COVID-19 vaccine in various villages

The way forward

● Increased access to educational institutions at the village, district and state level will increase enrollment as well as encourage students to move towards education-driven livelihood options.
● Academic support fosters interest towards education among children and hence acts as a self-driving force for continuing education, so that children do not drop out during the transition phase hence preventing their forceful entry into intergenerational commercial sex work.
● Girl children entering into commercial sex work is reduced to 50%, along with a decrease in the proportion of dropout cases from the community.

Project Impact

children provided educational support

250

Children provided educational support

children enrolled in school

180

Children enrolled in school

vulnerable adolescent girls identified

73

Vulnerable adolescent girls identified

children enrolled in open school

39

Children enrolled in open school

children’s collectives were formed

14

Children’s collectives were formed

women’s groups formed for alternative livelihood options

10

Women’s groups formed for alternative livelihood options

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Last Year’s Grant Disbursed: $27,803

Current Year’s Approved Grant

Education$14,865

Administration$4,054

Protection$14,865

Total Budget$33,784

Dreams never die

Shalini, a-19 year-old girl, lives in the Raisen district. Her father and brother passed away leaving a financial strain on the family.

Shalini’s grandmother often stays ill. The medical expenses caused a financial strain forcing Shalini to quit her studies after her 8th grade. Shalini began dancing at events and was able to earn Rs 5000 through one dance event. She soon began engaging in inter-generational prostitution. One person became her “permanent client” who takes care of her finances.

Luckily she came across the Kishori girls’ meetings and began participating. Through these meetings, Shalini expressed her desire to get reconnected to her education, following which the staff went and spoke to her mother.

Shalini’s mother was not very keen at first but Shalini and the team managed to convince her. In 2020 Shalini filled her form of class 10th for open school and has now been pursuing her education. Shalini aspires to complete her education and join the army by applying through NCC.

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