Project Jago Foundation

Campaign Story

About the project

Giridih district in Jharkhand struggles with poor school infrastructure, low social and economic status, and deep-rooted traditional beliefs that hold back children’s right to education as well as their overall health. These issues reflect on the children’s lives across 30 villages, leading to irregular attendance and a high dropout rate in both schools and Anganwadi Centers (AWCs) for preschool education. As schools remain non-functional or poorly managed, children here are at a greater risk of child marriage and child labor.

Making a difference

CRY America’s Project Jago Foundation team is working with community stakeholders to improve infrastructure and promote regular attendance in 4 model schools, 16 model Anganwadis, and CRY’s Adolescent Resource Center, where children learn digital and life skills. Key interventions include infrastructural developments and training for Anganwadis, encouraging kitchen gardening and vaccinations to support infant health, and sensitizing School Committee members on issues like dropout and irregular attendance. Another key intervention is formation of Children’s Collective and Adolescent Collective to sensitize children and youth on issues of child marriage and child labor.

The way forward

● Ensure that 75 children attending Anganwadi centers for preschool education transition to Grade 1 for formal schooling.
● Train 3 School Management Committee members and teachers on assessing learning outcomes.
● Support 100 vulnerable children with learning materials.
● Conduct career counseling sessions for 45 children after Grade 10 and Grade 12 board examinations.
● Conduct 30 awareness campaigns to sensitize community members on the consequences of child marriage and child labor.
● Link 100 vulnerable families to government programs for financial assistance.
● Strengthen 1 adolescent resource center through material support for academic and co-curricular activities.
● Conduct 3 training sessions for parents on parent modules and for children on life skills modules across 4 schools.

Project Impact

807

Children aged 3-6 years in Anganwadi Centers

187

Children benefitting from 20 kitchen gardens at Anganwadi Centers

381

Children received 100% vaccination

197

Adolescent girls sensitized on Sexual & Reproductive Health Rights

138

School Management Committee members sensitized on child rights issues

5,176

Children aged 6-14 years in schools

120

Children accessing computer training

344

Children and adolescents sensitized on education and protection rights

10

Girls prevented their own marriage

115

Adolescent girls in sports

185

Children trained in Life Skill sessions

108

Parents trained in Parents Modules

Last year’s grant disbursed for Jan 25’ to Dec ‘25: $28,285

This year’s grant approved for Jan ‘26 to Dec ‘26:

Education$23,336

Administration$5,372

Total Budget$28,708

Sanjana chooses change over marriage

Sanjana* always dreamt of changing her community into a healthy and educated one, a place where girls have the freedom to choose their own futures. She hoped to do this by becoming a Block Development Officer. But in Grade 8, her dreams began to shrink as her family started planning her marriage, influenced by community norms and financial strain. Aware of the consequences of early marriage, Sanjana informed her peers from CRY’s Adolescent Collective and reached out to the project team.

The team immediately intervened by visiting her home and patiently speaking with her parents about the importance of education and the risks associated with child marriage. When her parents remained hesitant, they involved community stakeholders and also explained the legal implications. The team further visited the boy’s home, counseling his parents and him, ensuring the issue was addressed from both sides.

Despite these efforts, both families remained firm. On the day of the planned marriage, Sanjana was asked to stay back home, missing school. It was then that she found the courage to voice her opinion. She strictly expressed her desire to continue her education and her willingness to approach the Block Development Officer and Childline for legal support if needed. Seeing her determination, the marriage was called off. The project team continued engaging with both families, helping them understand the value of education and supporting their children’s aspirations. With continued conversations, their perspectives gradually shifted, and Sanjana’s parents agreed to let her resume her studies.

Sanjana also enrolled in a digital course at the Adolescent Resource Center, where she is building computer skills and learning about life skills, child rights, and gender equality. Today, she has passed her Grade 8 exams with good results and is steadily moving toward her dream of creating change in her community.

*Name changed and AI image used to protect child’s identity

Project Photo Gallery