Projects
Project SSRF 2025
Nisha’s journey from adversity to advocacy
Nisha, a bright and ambitious girl from Uttar Pradesh, was forced to drop out after the 11th standard due to her mother’s limited income. Since Nisha’s father was behind bars due to land disputes, she faced immense social stigma and financial challenges arising from community judgment. CRY America’s project team intervened after CRY’s Children’s Collective members informed the staff about her situation.
Through continuous home visits, the project team counseled and convinced her family to re-enroll Nisha and her two sisters in school. The team provided both moral and practical support, addressing the family’s immediate concerns about stigma and safety. To support their transition back to school, Nisha was enrolled in CRY’s Digital Learning Center, while her two sisters joined the Child Activity Center.
The staff members consistently supported her, helping her overcome difficulties in concentrating on her studies after a prolonged gap. Gaining confidence, she attended career counseling sessions organized by the project team to explore higher education opportunities. Today, she has become a role model in her community, advocating for child rights, internet safety, and education.
*Name changed and image used for representation purpose only.
The Problem
The districts of Varanasi and Bhadohi face a concerning issue of child marriage, which severely hampers the overall development of children, especially young girls. This widespread practice often disrupts their education, leading to high dropout rates. In addition, nearby secondary schools lack adequate infrastructure, forcing children to travel long distances to attend classes. As a result, many children discontinue their education and are pushed into child labor or early marriage.
The Solution
CRY America Project SSRF is working towards creating an enabling environment that empowers children to influence decision making on issues that affect them, creating informed, sensitized, empowered family members and community to stop child marriage, ensuring vigilant governance for child protection. The key activities taking place under the project are orientation meetings of children groups on child rights issues and developing their understanding, engagement with child protection structures in the district and in the entire state.
Impact Of The Project
4,525
Children aged 15-18 retained in schools.
523
Children enrolled in remedial education.
150
Children attending SMART classes.
274
Potential child marriages prevented.
500
Community members sensitized on child protection issues.
1,596
Children sensitized on Menstrual Hygiene Management.
200
Adolescent girls trained in self-defence techniques.
675
Adolescents participated in life skills sessions.
2025 Plans
- Conduct life skill session with 36 collective groups followed by 8 government schools
- Adapt Child Activity Center (CAC) module to 9 Bal Paharua centers for supporting learning of 120 children
- Ensure mainstream schooling of 288 out-of-school children of age 6-18 years
- Ensure mainstreaming schooling of 80 identified child laborers
- Implement CAC module to enhance teaching-learning process at 18 activity centers
- Strengthen 9 School Management Committee (SMC) members to actively intervene in school-related issues
- Conduct 9 activity-based learning meetings with SMC members on education barriers
- Enrol 30 identified children in sponsorship programs and fast track their linkage to government programs
- Support functioning of 6 Women and Children Protection Centers, Child Welfare Committees and Juvenile Justice Boards to address child abuse and exploitation cases
Project Pragathi 2024
Dhanusri’s journey from exploitation to education
Dhanusri, a 13-year-old from the Yanadi Scheduled Tribes, found herself navigating the harsh realities of her family’s seasonal migration for livelihood.
As the second child among seven siblings, Dhanusri’s responsibilities increased, following her father’s death, leaving her motherf to shoulder the financial burden alone. With her elder brother dropping out of school to support the family, Dhanusri’s path seemed destined for a similar fate. Recognizing the signs of her falling prey to child labor, the Cry America project team intervened. Despite initial challenges in tracing her whereabouts, concerted efforts involving community stakeholders, including Village Child Protection Committees and local authorities, led to her rescue from exploitation in a brick kiln.
With unwavering support from the project team, Dhanusri’s transition back to school began. Emotional support and counseling by dedicated teachers, ensured she received the necessary attention to bridge the gap in her learning.
Today, Dhanusri’s story stands as a testament to the power of timely intervention and collaborative action. Through the collective efforts of project Pragathi and community stakeholders, she was spared from the clutches of child labor and given the opportunity to reclaim her childhood. Regular follow-ups and support mechanisms have not only stabilized her academic journey but also ignited a newfound passion for learning and participation in extracurricular activities.
Dhanusri’s story reflects the importance of ongoing vigilance and proactive measures in safeguarding children’s rights and ensuring they have the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their circumstances.
In Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh, the project faces challenges with the quality of Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) provided by Anganwadi teachers. Additionally, the absence of a preschool readiness program worsens the issue, stemming from a lack of skills among Anganwadi workers. Furthermore, there’s a concerning trend of children dropping out of school and moving towards child labor.
Through a multifaceted approach, the project focuses on facilitating children’s enrollment in the preschool program, educating parents about the significance of education, and engaging with teachers to advocate for the return of child laborers to school. By fostering community involvement and empowering children with essential life skills, project Pragathi aims to create a brighter future for the next generation. Preventive programs have been implemented to address child labor and child marriage.
174
drop out children re enrolled in school
78
children removed from labor
65
child marriages averted
60
teachers trained on ECCE program
213
children passed their 10th grade examinations
137
meetings conducted with children and adolescent collectives
2443
children covered-Life Skills Sessions
● Identify 300 irregular children in schools and take measures to streamline them
● Sensitize parents of 200 dropout on the importance of education.
● Sensitize parents of 2325 school going girls on the importance of continuity of education
● Ensure re enrolment of 200 Drop out children
● Orient 63 Anganwadi teachers on Early Childhood Education program
● Identify and assist 3520 children to apply for social security entitlements.
● Encourage 70 teachers to visit families that have dropouts for re-enrollment
● Strengthen 75 Parents Monitoring Committee and develop school development plans
● Conduct 10 awareness programs on child labor at community level.
● Ensure 70 children are removed from labor
● Involve 20 Community Based Organizations in mainstreaming the child labor.
● Avert/Stop 50 child marriages
● Conduct regular meetings with 136 Children and adolescent collectives
● Orient 500 parents on the importance of the Life Skills Modules
● Implement Year-II Life Skills Modules in Child collectives covering 1800 children
2023 Grant Disbursed $41,949
Project ASES 2024
Dipali’s Journey to Education and Empowerment
Dipali, a 14-year-old girl residing in Birsa Basti, Jamshedpur, had faced numerous challenges in her life. Her father left the family, leaving her mother to shoulder the economic responsibilities alone. Her mother worked as a construction laborer and took up domestic help jobs to support her family. Dipali had four siblings – three sisters and two brothers. Despite the hardships, she remained determined to create a better future for herself.
She was studying in the 6th standard and became involved with Bal Sangathan, a children’s collective. The collective meetings provided her with life skills sessions and raised awareness about various child rights issues, including child labor and child marriage. Dipali actively participated in these meetings, realizing the importance of education and her rights as a child.
Sometime later, unfortunately she got involved in bad company, which led her to drop out of school. In order to make some money, she soon started working as domestic help. The collective members along with the project team intervened and provided counseling support to her, encouraging her to continue her education.
CRY America’s Project ASES is working in the urban slum of Jamshedpur, Jharkhand where there are zero infrastructural facilities available in 25 urban slums. All the centers are run from Anganwadi workers’ own houses. Children in these vulnerable urban segments often indulge in risky behaviors like gradually dropping out of school, being irregular to classes, finding ways of earning quick money and early marriage.
The project team has been making consistent efforts via capacity building programs and community mobilizations. The efforts are being made for enrollment of children and retention of children in schools. Preventive programs have been implemented to address child labor and child marriage.
47
drop out children re enrolled in schools
124
children passed grade
th10 examinations
318
children trained in CRY’s child center module
94
children enrolled in remedial centers
13
children collectives raised issues related to child rights violations
18
child laborers mainstreamed into formal education
13
slums child marriage free
● Meeting with teachers and 30 SMC members on drop out, transit & irregular children towards re-enrolment in school
● Capacity building of children on Child Empowerment Module with 3 boys groups
● Running 3 Children Activity Center for 150 children from 10 to 18yrs age group
● Enrollment of 4456 children in the age group of 6-14 yrs
● Re-enrollment of 70 out of school children in the age group of 6-14 yrs
● Organize 4 meeting on child protection issues in 23 slums
● Organize parent meetings on 5 Parents Modules in 3 slums
● Organizing URBAN SOCCER “Run & Kick” for combating child abuse covering 200 children
● Organize half yearly meeting of 50 child leaders on yearly planning
2023 Grant Disbursed $21,516
Project DEEP 2024
Rescuing Himanshu: A Tale of Child Labor and the Power of Education
Mohan and Samita Devi lived in a small village, situated in the dense forest of Ramnagar in Bihar. They have three sons, and they relied on daily wage labor to make ends meet. During the season, Mohan would migrate to other states for work, while Samita worked as an agricultural laborer in the village. The two elder sons also followed in their father’s footsteps and went to work in other states.
Their youngest son, Himanshu, was only 14 years old and had completed his eighth grade and then he was forced to migrate to Gujarat to work with a local contractor in a rolling mill. It wasn’t until his health deteriorated, and his mother was notified. Upon hearing about Himanshu, the project team worker, took the matter into his own hands and contacted the contractor to discuss the situation.
After much deliberation and discussion about the negative effects of child labor and the importance of education, the parents agreed to call Himanshu back home. Eventually, with the help of a co-worker, the child was able to communicate with his parents, and they convinced him to return home.
The contractor was then asked to pay the child his wages and ensure his safe return. The following day, Himanshu arrived back home, safe and sound. He was immediately enrolled in school and started attending the CARC daily to catch up on his studies. Although the experience had been harrowing, Himanshu was determined to make up for lost time and work hard to build a brighter future.
Education in Ramnagar lags behind with an average literacy rate of 55.43%, lower than the district and national averages. Inadequate teachers, poor quality of teaching, huge gaps in RTE Act infrastructure compliances are the compelling factors of children dropping out. Access to higher education and poor interest of the parents on higher education are the compounding factors for a large number of children who are out of school and working.
CRY America project DEEP helps bring these resources, such as Anganwadis, primary schools and secondary schools to the villages in West Champaran that need support. The project ensures children in the community are enrolled in these institutions, receive their services, and that these resources have the capacity to function and properly manage themselves. The key activities of the project are identification of vulnerable children, implementation of preventive programs for reduction of child labor and exploring different methods for sustaining the education support.
7170
children of 6-18 years of age enrolled in schools
32
adolescent collectives were informed and sensitized on education and child protection issues
386
children cleared the 10th grade exam
19
villages are now child marriage free
58
child marriages stopped
183
children removed from labor & mainstreamed in formal education
181
families were linked with social protection programs
● Organize 22 SMC meeting in all schools ensuring participation of 220 members
● Track the academic progress of 5363 children in 6-14 years
● Continuing the coaching center in 3 villages for 120 girls in grade IX & X
● Ensuring enrolment of 280 children of 3-6 years age group in ICDS centers
● Capacity building of 480 collective members on life skill, education, child protection issues and existing programs
● Organizing 48 village level meeting on issues like child labor, unsafe migration & early marriages in 24 villages
● Formation of 1 Sports club and promotion of girl’s teams for the sports
● Awareness meeting with the Village Child Protection Committee members on child marriage in 5 villages
2023 Grant Disbursed $19,169
Project Samvedna 2024
The journey of 3 girls from adversity to Achievement
In a remote village in Bhopal district, amidst the close-knit Bedia community, three extraordinary girls emerged as symbols of resilience in the face of adversity.
The Bedia community, often marginalized and stigmatized, is known for its intergenerational involvement in the sex trade. Growing up amidst this challenging environment, Niru, Nilu, and Shipra faced daunting odds. But their story was about to change.
Their journey commenced when they became part of the Children Activity Center (CAC) in their village, operated by Samvedna and supported by CRY America. Committed to empowering children in marginalized communities, the CAC provided them with a nurturing environment to learn, grow, and dream beyond their circumstances. With educational support from an early age, these girls remained invested in their studies, bolstered by co-curricular activities that fostered resilience and confidence.
Recognizing the importance of continuing their education, Niru, Nilu, and Shipra were enrolled in a Government middle school in Bhopal and lived in a government hostel. With support from CRY America and Samvedna, including academic assistance and essential provisions, they excelled academically, scoring over 70% in the 8th-grade annual examination.
Their journey reached a pivotal moment when they cleared the rigorous entrance test for Vanasthali University, securing seats at the prestigious institution. Their determination propelled them forward, granting them the opportunity to pursue higher education without interruption.
Niru, Nilu, and Shipra’s remarkable journey transcends personal triumph; it serves as a beacon of hope for their community. Their tale challenges stereotypes, breaks barriers, and exemplifies the transformative power of education.
Girls from the Bedia community in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh are at multiple risks and vulnerabilities as the community is engaged in commercial sex work as the primary source of livelihood. 50% women have never been to school and 95% have dropped out before grade 8. Girls aged 10-15 years are most susceptible to being pushed into the sex trade by their family, thus being denied education. This leads to early pregnancies, physical abuse, malnutrition and other psychological problems.
CRY America’s Project Samvedna has a two-pronged approach – working with the survivors for their rehabilitation and reintegration and prioritizing prevention for the vulnerable members of the community through advocacy and direct intervention. Education, mentoring, and counselling have been taken as primary tools. The key activities are running children’s activity centers, establishing digital learning centers, connecting vulnerable children to open schools, and awareness generation with parents and the community on back-to-school safety campaigns in the villages.
38
drop out children enrolled in open schools
16
students enrolled in hostels at Bhopal
14
children are preparing for police and armed forces jobs
16
children and adolescent group with 279 Members sensitized
279
Life skill module was conducted with 279 adolescent children
312
children enrolled in Child Activity Centers(CAC)
124
children enrolled in Digital Learning Center
● Community members will be sensitized on the issue of education of the children in 8 villages
● Running a DLC centre for 25 children in tie up with NIIT Foundation in one project village
● 12 meeting with the stakeholders in 8 villages on Right to Education
● 30 children will be given admission in Bhopal hostels
● Ensuring School Development Plans are implemented as per plan in 8 villages spread across Bhopal, Vidhisa, Raisen and Rajgarh
● Six Monthly parents-teacher meeting at Bhopal Hostels
● Regular home visits to 1346 households to meet parents and keep them updated about their child’s progress in the CAC.
● 12 Parent-Teacher’s meeting in CAC to share updates regarding child’s performance
● Conduct regular meetings with 8 Children groups & 8 Adolescent girls groups
● Conducting 5 Life skill sessions based on Child centre module
● Periodic meetings between Bedia youth pursuing alternate career options and children who are in CACs and hostels.
● 2 life skill training sessions for Community Workers
2023 Grant Disbursed $33,100
