Project Jawahar Jyoti Bal Vikas Kendra (JJBVK)

Campaign Story

About the project

Sarairanjan block is situated in the central part of Samastipur district in Bihar. The agro-based economy is mostly dominated by the upper caste. The communities are landless and depend on daily wage work. The dropout children start to work with their parents in nearby agricultural fields under the ownership of the landlord to support the family income. Migration starts among the boys from the age of 14 from these villages with their relatives to other states. The massive gender disparity is a big challenge in the community. Girls face a lot of discrimination. The fear factor of being harassed and security issues while traveling for higher education becomes a challenge for the girls. Mindset of parents on girl child education is of great concern as they have been considered as liabilities to the family.

Making a difference

CRY America’s Project JJBVK works towards enrolment and retention of children in school. The project also focuses on reduction of child labor in the community and runs preventive program for addressing child marriage. Sustainable child driven collectives are formed and peer groups are created to support children. The key activities under the project are identification of children in 3-6 years who are not enrolled in the ICDS centers and initiating process to enroll them in the schools, home visit and motivating the children of 6-18 years age group for online education, campaign against child labor in the villages, discussion with adolescent group members and working on psycho –social issues, child marriage etc.

The way forward

● Sensitization meeting with 12 adolescent girls group consisting of 135 members on child labour, child marriage
● 100% tracking the drop out, irregular children; identification of vulnerable children and enrolment in residential schools
● Meeting with the 45 members of Community Based Organizations (CBOs) and sensitize them on issue related to education and protection
● Organizing 26 village level meeting comprising 40 members on child protection issues
● Preventive programs implementation for addressing child marriage through a comprehensive program
● 100% retainment of children in schools in the age of 6-14 years
● 100% enrollment of children in ICDS center

The way forward

Project Impact

child marriage cases prevented

38

Child marriage cases prevented

drop out students were facilitated for re-enrollment in formal schooling

45

Children were removed from child labor

vulnerable families linked with Social Protection Schemes

32

Children enrolled in remedial classes

children removed from workplaces and mainstreamed in schools

116

SMC members sensitized

157

Families linked to social security schemes

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Last Year’s Grant Disbursed : $16,260

Current Year’s Approved Grant

Education$25,231

Administration$5,171

Total Budget$30,402

Overcoming Challenges to Achieve Academic Success and Empowerment

Renu Kumari belonged to a family of eight, including her parents, grandparents, and four siblings. Her parents were daily wage earners, with her father working as a mason and her mother selling bangles. Renu’s grandfather was a potter, and her grandmother sold the products he made. Despite their best efforts, the family’s income was meager.

As the eldest child, Renu had to take on the responsibility of household chores like cooking, cleaning, and taking care of her younger siblings. With so much on her plate, she gradually lost interest in her studies and began to neglect them altogether.

It was at this point that Renu introduced the Bridge Course Center. The team was on a mission to help children who had missed out on their studies due to various reasons. Upon meeting Renu’s family, it was found that she had left school because of her poor academic performance.

Renu was enrolled in the Bridge Course Center, where she was taught the basics of reading, writing, and numeracy. Initially, she was hesitant to attend the classes and would make excuses for not showing up. It was later found that she didn’t enjoy studying because of the tasks assigned to her. With some empathy and understanding, the teacher stopped giving her tasks and instead focused on teaching her through videos and other interactive activities.

Slowly but surely, Renu’s interest in her studies grew, and she began to attend classes regularly. She was particularly afraid of English and Maths, but the facilitator’s teaching style and follow-up sessions helped her to overcome her fears.

Renu’s family did not initially encourage her studies, and her grandparents were already thinking about her marriage. However, Renu’s newfound success in her studies changed all that. She secured 1st Division marks in her board exams.

Renu’s father was particularly impressed with her achievement and told her that he would support her until she became self-dependent. Renu’s confidence continued to grow, and she even became a member of a children’s collective.

Today, Renu Kumari is an empowered young woman who is disseminating knowledge about social issues to her siblings. Her level of education has improved dramatically, and she is attending a regular school on her own. Her parents are very proud of the progress she has made and the transformation she has undergone.

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