Project Surat – Direct Intervention

Campaign Story

About the project

8 unauthorized slums near the railway lines in Surat, Gujarat, lack access to educational facilities. The area experiences high dropout rates particularly after primary education due to lack of infrastructure, overcrowded classrooms, and lack of trained teachers. Anganwadi Centers provide limited preschool education to a few children due to space constraints. Parents are unaware of the importance of education and refrain from sending their children to school after elementary education because of the long distance. Child labor and child marriage is prevalent in this community due to low awareness levels and high poverty.

Making a difference

CRY America’s project in Surat works toward facilitating access to education and support for children living in the 8 urban slums of Surat. Key activities under this project include identifying dropout children, counseling them to re-enroll in schools, setting up remedial classes, providing parental counseling, and collaborating with school authorities to regularize and retain children. Another key focus area is forming children’s and adolescent girls’ collectives to raise awareness about child marriage and child labor in the community.

The way forward

● Ensure access to support classes for 75 children from Grades 9–12 through tablets and DIKSHA education applications.
● Provide academic support to 41 existing and 20 new dropout and failed students from Grades 9–12 through open schooling to enable continuation and completion of their education.
● Sensitize 73 SMC members across 6 schools on their roles and responsibilities.
● Enroll 70 children aged 6–18 years in remedial classes for enhanced learning support.
● Ensure transition of 124 children from Grade 5 to 6, 162 from Grade 8 to 9, and 81 from Grade 10 to 11, along with supporting 115 children to successfully clear their Grade 10 and 12 board exams.
● Facilitate filling of teacher vacancies across 6 schools and support the upgradation of 2 schools to higher secondary level in collaboration with the education department.
● Link 100 families to government food security programs.
● Promote retention of 25 adolescent girls in higher classes through structured participation in cricket with trained coaching support.
● Educate 200 parents through life skills and parenting modules.
● Sensitize 300 children and community members on child rights issues.
● Facilitate 8 adolescent collectives to address child rights issues with relevant committees and authorities for resolution.

Project Impact

1,686

Children aged 6-14 years enrolled in schools

139

Children received academic support through support classes

148

Children cleared their Grade 10 & 12 board exams

41

Adolescents enrolled in open schooling

92

Children trained through Life Skill sessions

73

School Management Committee (SMC) members sensitized on dropout issues

2025 grant approved: $16,080

2026 budget approved: $15,341

Last Year’s Grant Disbursed (Jan to Dec, 2023) – $297,425

Sahil finding his way back to school

Sahil* had been out of school for nearly five months after the sudden loss of his father. In the midst of grief, daily survival became the priority. He began accompanying his mother to work, taking on responsibilities far beyond his years to help support the family.

When CRY America’s project team learned about his situation, they visited his home, not with quick solutions, but with patience and understanding. They spent time with Sahil and his mother, gently encouraging them to find a way to keep his education going alongside their responsibilities. Through conversations, they also helped the family understand the long-term impact of child labor and how education could open doors to a more secure future. Slowly, with consistent emotional support, Sahil and his mother began to see things differently. However, the long gap in his schooling made re-admission difficult. The team stepped in once again, reaching out to the school and advocating for Sahil. With persistent follow-ups and reassurance, the school agreed to give him another chance. To help Sahil cope with his prolonged learning gap and rebuild his confidence, the team enrolled him in CRY’s Child Activity Center, where he received remedial education support along with Life Skills training.

Today, Sahil is back in school, studying in Grade 4, taking steady steps toward rebuilding not just his education, but his sense of hope.

*Name changed to protect child’s identity