The Girls Who Changed Their Community
A Story of Education and Determination
In Sevapur Tana, a small village, only one school offers education until the fourth grade. Children who want to study beyond the fourth grade have to walk 7 kms one way to reach the nearest school. Due to the long distance to school, parents often don’t let their children go to school and end up marrying them early.
CRY America project KMAGVS is strengthening adolescent groups in the village. They hold awareness sessions for girls, explaining the importance of education and their rights.
During one such session, girls discussed they couldn’t continue to travel such a long distance to attend school. Some girls in the group even received bicycles from KMAGVS, but that wasn’t enough. The girls knew their rights and decided to contact the principal of the school and members of the School Management Committee (SMC) to ask for transportation services.
After much discussion thanks to the girls’ confidence and determination, they agreed to provide free transportation services for these students. As a result, 48 children in the village could now continue their education without having to travel such long distances.
The girls’ small act of bravery and determination significantly impacted their community. They showed that with determination and perseverance they can bring positive change in many children’s lives.
The Problem
The villages in the Latur district face various challenges; one of the biggest challenges is that people don’t have livelihood opportunities, and families have to migrate to sugarcane farms for cultivation. Children have to leave their schools for 3 to 4 months and go with their parents. For higher classes, children have to travel very far, which is unsafe and causes a financial burden on the family. The rate of child marriage in the area is also 30-35%.
The Solution
Through the support of CRY America project KMAGVS, the community has found hope to overcome the challenges. The project works directly to provide residential hostels and enroll children in school. The project also works towards strengthening community-based organizations and sensitizing stakeholders on child rights issues focusing on child marriage and child labor.
Impact of the Project
● 1727 children were enrolled in residential hostels
● 669 girls enrolled in school
● 594 community-based organizations members were sensitized
● 137 families were developed as role models for the prevention of child labor
● 61 children collectives were formed
2023 Plans
● Enhance enrolment, retention, regularity and transition through community engagement
● Improve educational outcome achievements and results in board examinations
● Strengthen communities to protect children from child labor, child marriage, child sexual abuse, substance abuse and physical abuses
● Formation and strengthening of child collective and adolescent collectives in the operational area
2022 Grant Disbursed – $27,779
2023 Budget
