Varsha’s path towards a brighter future
Varsha Kumari, a bright 5th standard student from an urban slum in Ranchi, was once regularly attending her school. But after losing her mother, Varsha’s world turned upside down. With her father struggling with alcoholism, her education was completely neglected. Varsha moved in with her aunt, who was unaware that she had been missing school for months.
During a school meeting, CRY America’s project team learned about Varsha’s situation and immediately intervened. They counseled her aunt by involving the Anganwadi Workers (AWW) to emphasize on the importance of education. Through regular home visits, counseling, and encouragement from local stakeholders, Varsha’s aunt finally agreed to send her back to school. The staff members also enrolled her in a Child Activity Center supported by the project to bridge her learning gap.
Now, the 12-year-old attends school regularly. She also advocates for education after joining adolescent girl’s collective supported by the project, inspiring other children to stay in school and build a brighter future.
*Image used for representational purpose only.
The Problem
The children and their families from 4 urban slums in Ranchi, Jharkhand, are under the constant threat of rapid urbanization. They are victims of eviction, displacement, flooding, lack of safety, and unstable parental income. Child labor is a prevalent issue in this community due to high poverty levels. Children aged 6-18 years often drop out of school to support their family, either by working as cheap laborers or by looking after their siblings and doing household chores. Children work in hotels, garages, and even as rag pickers at dumping grounds. Child marriage is also practiced in this community due to parental fear of children eloping. Children aged 3 to 6 years are irregular in attending Anganwadi Centers (AWCs) for preschool education because these centers operate from the homes of Anganwadi Workers (AWWs).
The Solution
CRY America’s project in Ranchi works at facilitating access to education and protection for children living in the four urban slums in the area. Key activities under this project include identifying drop-out children, counseling them for re-enrollment, setting up remedial classes, providing parental counseling on child labor and child marriage issues, and linking children with government programs. Another focus area is forming children collectives and adolescent girl collectives to address issues of dropouts, menstrual hygiene, child labor and child marriage.
Impact Of The Project
27
School Management Committee (SMC) members sensitized on education
81
children enrolled in CACs
6
child laborers aged 6-18 identified and enrolled in CACs
3
child laborers aged 6-14 rescued and enrolled in schools
32
children benefited from a government education program
237
community members benefited from a social security program
44
children received life skills training
2025 Plans
- Ensure the retention of 188 children in schools with the support of education campaign.
- Enroll 83 children aged 15-18 in schools.
- Conduct Life Skills Sessions with the participation of 44 children.
- Capacity building of 2 SMCs to sensitize them on quality education.
- Provide academic support to 20 more children at the Child Activity Centers.
- Ensure 10 vulnerable families to receive safety kits.
- Link 10 children to scholarship opportunities.
- Renew the old-age pension cards of 10 identified families.
- Conduct regular meetings with 4 adolescent groups to sensitize them on child rights.
2025 Total Budget
