School Fees and Food for Children in Bengaluru, India

World Centric + Jagruthi/Power of Love

$30,900 from profits from fiscal year 2020

In the impoverished communities of Doddigunta and Cox Town, in Bengaluru, India, most residents are unskilled workers; a majority are unemployed, live in extreme poverty, and leave their children unattended. These children are exposed to sexual exploitation, abuse, disease, drug addictions and suffer from physical and mental trauma. The children are malnourished and have no access to proper care and education in a safe environment. For the past year, COVID has aggravated the living conditions of these migrant and vulnerable families.

Since 1996, Jagruthi has provided care to children ranging in age from newborn to 20. Most of these children have been either sexually exploited or involved in sex work in the past, while some have been orphaned due to AIDS. The programs at Jagruthi strive to protect and nurture these children, leading them towards a better and brighter future.

Proper care and nutrition during childhood is critical for a child’s mental and physical development. Jagruthi's staff provide high quality health care, counseling, and education to vulnerable children. Young children are provided with nutritious food and pre-school services while their parents are at work. Older children are provided with education and school support. Since, March 2020, COVID education and food support is also provided to families. As school are closed, teachers provide worksheets and evening tuitions to students, guidance to parents, and information regarding online and recorded classes. Teachers are able to check in with students as they live and work in the same communities

The Impact

• Provision of 3 nutritious meals, pre-school fees, day care services, and teaching & learning materials for 125 children aged 3-6 years old.
• Provision of school fees, school uniforms, books, and virtual classes for 50 children aged 7+ years old.
• Compensation provided to 20 teachers from the community.
• COVID education and PPE provided to all families (2,000 community residents).
  

Indirect impacts:

• Children who are educated and equipped with life skills to be self-reliant and productive members of society.
• Better mental and physical development for participating children.
• Increase in community knowledge of better hygiene practices.
• Increase in quality-of-life for participating children.

About Jagruthi

A World Centric partner since 2018.

Jagruthi was created in 1995 to benefit of vulnerable women and children in the city of Bangalore. The organizations mission is to protect children and their rights through community education, motivation and intervention, neutralizing the influences that could deprive children of a safe childhood, upholding their right to dignity and self-esteem and ensuring that they will not be subjected to any form of discrimination and be safeguarded from all forms of exploitation.

This project is facilitated by our long-time non-profit partner, Power of Love, who collaborates with Jagruthi.