Project New Era Environmental & Development Society (NEEDS)

Campaign Story

About the project

The Chandel and Tengnoupal districts in Manipur are sensitive regions affected by ongoing ethnic unrest, which has displaced thousands of people. Many families have fled to the valleys, seeking shelter in relief camps. This crisis has had a severe impact on children’s lives, disrupting their education through prolonged absenteeism and, in many cases, forcing them to drop out altogether, leaving them vulnerable to child labor, child marriage, and trafficking.

Additionally, inadequate infrastructure, limited access to trained teachers, extended school closures, and poor connectivity, resulting in restricted access to government services have further deepened educational exclusion, psychosocial distress, and protection concerns among children.

Making a difference

CRY America is working to protect the futures of vulnerable children across 21 villages in Manipur by upholding their right to education. This includes providing remedial support to bridge learning gaps in CRY’s Child Activity Centers, enrolling and re-enrolling children in schools by strengthening school infrastructure and facilities in collaboration with School Management Committees, conducting life skills sessions to help children make informed decisions, forming children’s and adolescent collectives to raise awareness about their rights and potential, and engaging child protection stakeholders to safeguard them from the risks of child marriage and child labor.

The way forward

● Conduct 3 orientation sessions with parents and teachers on child rights and safe learning
● Organize life skills sessions for 100 children across 4 Child Activity Centers, and provide learning materials to support vulnerable children
● Activate and orient 5 Village Child Protection Committees on their roles and responsibilities

Project Impact

316

Children enrolled in CACs and received education and sports materials

92

Community-Based Organization (CBO) members sensitized on education issues

150

Children successfully cleared their Grade 10 and Grade 12 exams

120

Village Child Protection Committee members actively monitoring dropouts at learning centers

42

Children linked to government programs for financial support for education

106

Adolescent Collective members sensitized on education rights

Last year’s disbursed grant for Jan ‘25 to Dec ‘25: $13,125

This year’s approved budget for Jan ‘26 to Dec ‘26:

Education$4,817

Administration$1,059

Protection$92

Total Budget$5,968

Teshangrei’s path back to routine

Teshangrei, a 12-year-old in Grade 8, had never quite felt the weight of financial hardship when it came to her education. Her eagerness to learn gave her parents hope, that one day, things would get better.

But last year, everything changed. As tensions rose within the community, the environment became uncertain and unsafe. Stepping out for school or tuition was no longer a given. For Teshangrei, the days felt unfamiliar and unsettling, far removed from the rhythm of her usual school routine. Understanding the gravity of the situation and placing children’s safety first, CRY America’s project team stepped in promptly. In consultation with the Village Level Child Protection Committee (VLCPC), they arranged for Teshangrei and other affected children to attend CRY’s Child Activity Center.

The center became more than just a place for learning, it offered a sense of safety and stability during a time of distress. Here, children were supported with learning materials and a nurturing environment where they could continue their education without fear. As the situation in the community gradually improved, Teshangrei was able to return to school and reclaim her routine. This time, she came back more confident, participating actively in group learning and classroom discussions.

That confidence has stayed with her. Even today, she continues to engage enthusiastically in both academic and extracurricular activities at the Child Activity Center, carrying forward a renewed sense of resilience and hope.

Project Photo Gallery