Project People’s Organisation for Rural Development (PORD)

Campaign Story

About the project

There are many areas in Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh that are rural. The sub-districts have no government hospitals. 66% villages do not have access to primary schools, children have to travel 1 to 5 kms to reach school. The hamlets do not have adequate roads, public transport and safe drinking water.

Making a difference

CRY America project PORD started activities such as monitoring Anganwadi centers while ensuring re-enrolment of dropout children. Awareness programs and life skill sessions were conducted as part of children’s collectives. Through PORD’s work, thousands of children are actively engaged in children’s collectives to change the course of their own lives as well as those of their peers.

Action During COVID-19 Times

● To prevent the cases of child marriage and child labour team conducted online convergence meetings as physical meetings were not possible during the COVID-19 times
● COVID support group was formed by the team to support villagers overcome the COVID-19 crisis

The way forward

● Orient 408 parents on the importance of Early Childhood Education (ECE) programme
● Monitor 54 Anganwadi centers
● Sensitize parents of 3357 school going girl children on the importance of continuity of education
● Ensure re-enrolment of 50+ new dropout children
● Ensure improvement of infrastructure in 25 schools
● Guide 957 children to apply for higher education courses.
● Conduct 72 regular child collective meetings every quarter

2022 Plan Highlights

● Mainstream child labor into schools.
● Enrolling 450 children in children’s collectives.
● Preparing 10 Anganwadi teachers in their school readiness program.

2021 Grant Disbursed = $39,586

Project Impact

Children removed from labor

110

children removed from labor

Children in child collectives covered in life skill sessions

807

children in child collectives covered in life skill sessions

Children transited from 10th to other higher courses

408

children transited from 10th to other higher courses

Irregular children were identified and mainstreamed

155

irregular children were identified and mainstreamed

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Last Year’s Grant Disbursed : $37,770

Current Year’s Approved Grant

Education$37,644

Administration$5,453

Total Budget$43,097

Overcoming Transportation Challenges: Ensuring Access to Education for Rural Children

The lack of public transport and unsuitable bus timings in many routes in the PORD operational area were causing difficulties for 323 school-going children. The issue was particularly concerning because it made the children vulnerable to dropping out of school, and falling prey to child labor or even being forced into child marriage. Some children were already walking miles or availing private share autos to reach school, which was a concern of safety for their parents.

To ensure continued access to education for children from the villages facing challenges due to public transport, the PORD team initiated discussions in child collectives and community based organisations (CBOs) to raise awareness about the urgency of the situation. The CBO members and parents came forward citing the issue, the bus routes, and the number of children affected.

As a result of their advocacy efforts, the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APRTC) allocated new bus facilities in two of the routes. The buses were scheduled to operate during school timings, benefitting a total of 115 children in the PORD operational area. The new services not only enable children to attend school regularly but also allow them to explore the possibility of returning home and attending school as a day scholar.

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