Project Samvedna

Campaign Story

About the project

Girls from the Bedia community in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh are at multiple risks and vulnerabilities as the community is engaged in commercial sex work as the primary source of livelihood. 50% women have never been to school and 95% have dropped out before grade 8. Girls aged 10-15 years are most susceptible to being pushed into the sex trade by their family, thus being denied 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, mentoring, and counselling have been taken as primary tools. The key activities are running children’s activity centers, establishing digital learning centers, connecting vulnerable children to open schools, and awareness generation with parents and the community on back-to-school safety campaigns in the villages.

The way forward

● Enrolment of 140 children aged between 3 to 6 years in Anganwadi or play schools
● Enrolment of 230 children aged between 6 to 14 years in village schools
● 6 regular meetings with district and state level officials to ensure monetary aid and scholarships for children
● Running digital learning center for 40 children
● 32 meetings with School Management Committee (SMC) members and their orientation on their roles and responsibilities
● Supporting 40 girls above 18 years of age, in selecting alternative dignified livelihood options

Project Impact

100% retention of children in schools (6 to 18 years)

1303

children retained in schools (6 to 18 years)

Adolescent girls participated in life skill sessions

180

Adolescent girls participated in life skill sessions

Adults received Covid vaccination

90%

Adults received Covid vaccination

out-of-school children (16-18 years) enrolled in school

91

Out-of-school children (16-18 years) enrolled in school

Children participated in summer camp

270

Children participated in summer camp

Donate To Project

Last Year’s Grant Disbursed: $33,100

Current Year’s Approved Grant

Education$34,609

Administration$1,835

Total Budget$36,444

A Champion in the Making: Nita’s Rise to Success on the Badminton Court

Nita, an adolescent girl from Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, is a first-generation learner in her family. She is one of three children from her community to get selected in the
Junior Badminton Championship

tournament in Delhi.

Unfortunately, Nita’s family faced a deteriorating financial condition that forced her elder sister and brother out of school. She could’ve had a similar fate but CRY’s education intervention ensured a different future for her. Through the education support class Nita was able to strengthen her foundation in education.Despite the challenges, she works hard to excel in whatever she does, whether it’s academics or sports. In her last annual examination, she stood third in her class.

Nita has also received the Junior Badminton Championship scholarship. The project team supported her to learn everything about badminton, provided her the coach and then she represented her state. She has set an example for other youth in her village, showing them and their parents that new doors can open through hard work in any field.

Despite her personal obstacles, including the need to travel far distances to practice badminton, Nita’s drive and love for the sport helped her excel to new heights. She also secured second position in the National Sport for Change competition conducted by the HCL Foundation.

Her badminton coach, Hemant, said, “In the initial days, she didn’t even know how to hold the racket, but now if you see her, you can easily conclude that she not only knows about the racket and shuttle but also knows how to make a game plan to win the matches.” Nita is determined to continue improving her game and achieve success in the future.