CI and the Guru Krupa Foundation: Putting children at the center(s)

Despite free government-sponsored schools, some of those living in abject poverty in India still experience poor learning outcomes. Seasonal migration limits availability and attendance. Gender bias can keep girls away altogether. Plus, parents who often cannot read or lack awareness of the value of education have trouble navigating the red tape of enrollment, helping with homework and other hurdles. These complications compound and can result in major schooling gaps, higher dropout rates and decreased life skills overall.

With the support of the Guru Krupa Foundation and the Indian government, Children International is meeting this challenge head on. We know education is one of the essential tools to breaking the cycle of poverty — so with a generous grant from Guru Krupa, we created more safe spaces to learn. Then we trained and staffed facilitators and tutors, allowing more opportunities for children to focus on math, reading and language comprehension in a safe, supportive environment with dedicated instructors.

But there’s more to education than reading and math.

Learning centers can serve as libraries and computer labs, and are where children receive assistance in learning science, social & financial literacy, and other vital subjects. The centers hold open activity sessions for CI kids and non-sponsored kids alike. Centers also host cultural events during the year and a summer camp, which offers creative outlets like dance, music, fine arts — even self-defense.

More staff + more space = a greater impact on more kids!

Is it any wonder, then, that children and youth who regularly attend the learning resource centers  show tremendous growth and promise? Kids like Shaheen, who’s gone from wallflower to potential web master.

“Today my daughter is learning computer skills,” says her mother. “Earlier she was very shy and never came out of her house but now comes alone to the computer class.”

Or consider Aishwarya, who comes for the tutors but stays for the books.