Campaign Story
About the project
The Chandel district in Manipur is a sensitive region marked by ethnic unrest, which has displaced thousands. Many families have fled to the valleys, seeking shelter in refugee camps. This ongoing crisis has severely impacted children’s lives, disrupting their education through prolonged absenteeism and eventually forcing many to drop out, leaving them vulnerable to child labor, child marriage, and trafficking.
Making a difference
CRY America is working to protect the futures of vulnerable children across 24 villages in Manipur by upholding their right to education. This includes providing remedial support to bridge learning gaps, conducting life skills sessions to help them make informed decisions, forming Children and Adolescent Collectives to educate children and youth of their rights and potential, and engaging child protection stakeholders to shield them from the threats of child marriage and child labor.
The way forward
● Ensure 200 children (6–18 years) stay in school and complete their education
● Enroll 10 out-of-school children (6–14 years) and provide Life Skills sessions
● Organize cultural and sports activities for 200 children to promote interaction
● Counsel 191 parents through home visits and community meetings to support learning center attendance
● Hold meetings with 10 schools to facilitate admission of conflict-displaced children
● Track 200 vulnerable children at high risk of dropout or trafficking
● Monitor child growth at 4 learning centers with support from 19 VCPCs
● Link 200 vulnerable families and children to Social Protection programs
● Provide trauma counseling for 200 children and families with support from Manipur government authorities
The way forward
● Strengthening of VCPC in operational villages.
● Identification of vulnerable children and linking with the scheme related to the child rights
● Support to the victim families to get justice and the compensation from the department.
● Interface with the multi stakeholders at community level for prevention of child trafficking.
Project Impact
948
Children & youth sensitized on education importance
90
Community-Based Organization (CBO) members oriented on learning centers
45
Children linked to Mission Vatsalya program for urgent care
52
Village Child Protection Committees (VCPCs) participated in school absenteeism sessions
82
Children (3–6 yrs) attending preschool
191
Children connected to learning centers
65
Children moved from Anganwadi to primary school
108
Children cleared 10th & 12th exams