Rohini reclaiming her childhood
Rohini, a member of the CRY America’s Adolescent Collective, was on the verge of giving up her dreams of education as her family planned an early marriage due to financial and social pressures.
CRY America’s Project Sanlaap team identified her situation when she became irregular at the adolescent awareness sessions organized by the project. The staff collaborated with the Village Child Protection Committee (VCPC) members when her family was not convinced to cancel her marriage after initial counseling. The VCPC members, along with project staff, successfully halted and cancelled her marriage, and re-enrolled her in 11th standard. They also engaged with the school authorities to waive her school fees, ensuring her retention in school.
Rohini, once again with renewed confidence, has started walking the path of education after returning to school, aspiring to become a police officer someday.
*Name changed and AI image used for representation purpose only.
The Problem
Kolkata’s red light areas are infamous for being one of the largest in Asia. What’s not so well known about these places, however, is that they have many children. One or more adult members in families here are engaged in sex work. Because of the cycle of poverty, discrimination, and the kinds of social pressure children face in these locations, they are often at risk of being pushed towards becoming commercial sex workers themselves. Many are trafficked and child marriage is often used as a tool by the traffickers.
The Solution
Even in neighborhoods as difficult as the ones in the Red Light Areas (RLA) of Kolkata, there is hope, as many children have found ways to overcome their challenges through the support of CRY America project Sanlaap. CRY America project Sanlaap works to prevent children from child trafficking, child labor and child marriage. Children are rescued from prostitution and child trafficking and are connected with survivor groups and counselled. Key initiatives of this project include strengthening of youth groups & linking young adults with job & scholarship opportunities, enrolment of children from 6 to 18 years in school and youth led advocacy events.
Impact Of The Project
125
children attending Child Activity Center (CAC)
70
children re-enrolled in schools
195
children received educational materials
317
families attended sessions on government program linkages
262
children trained in life skills sessions
300
children and youth trained in gender roles
2025 Plans
- Conduct support classes and distribute education & sports materials in 3 RLA’s Child Activity Centers.
- Enroll 50 dropout children aged 6–18 years in schools.
- Conduct 4 training sessions on child protection issues.
- Provide capacity building and training for 50 survivors.
- Engage with 30 children for the rehabilitation and reintegration of Children in Need of Care and Protection (CNCP).
- Conduct life skills sessions for 300 children and youth.
- Form 4 child and adolescent collectives.
- Organize 1 annual sports event across 3 RLAs.
- Train 8 children and youth on gender roles, cyber safety, and digital literacy.
2025 Total Budget
