Imagine for a moment ... in the morning you leave the single room you share with anywhere from three to 11 other people. Then, weave your way through tight, littered alleys with minimal sanitation and open drains. Pass the makeshift storefronts, under-stocked groceries and dilapidated homes. All of this just to get to a school that may be understaffed and underfunded.
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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.
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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.
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.”
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Or consider Aishwarya, who comes for the tutors but stays for the books.
“My favorite is The Jungle Book,” she says.
Comments
Fereydoun
Jan 24, 2018
Such a great piece. Thank you for posting this.
SherryPalomo
Jul 10, 2018
I am so grateful for the help and guidance you are giving these children. Keep encouraging them to learn about the world around them, and their new opportunities to be successful and joyful.
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