Girls Education Project
 
Success Story-1: Geeta Devi's Journey to Transforming Perspectives on Education and Empowerment
 
Geeta Devi, the Sarpanch of Ratiyapura Gram Panchayat and a resident of Bhauyapura, initially had reservations about the Girls Learning Center near her house. She believed it was primarily for recreational activities and did not provide adequate education for children. However, her perception changed over time through her interactions with the program coordinators and witnessing the positive impact of the center on the children in her Gram Panchayat.
 
Initial Reservations: Geeta Devi believed that the Girls Learning Center was not providing proper education and was merely a place for children to play.
 
Introduction to Program Objectives: During a Community Management Committee (CMC) meeting, Geeta Devi and her husband, Rishi Ram Meena, were introduced to the objectives of the program by coordinator Vimlesh. This introduction sparked Geeta Devi's interest in the initiative.
 
Recognition of Impact: Through continued engagement with program coordinators, Geeta Devi gradually recognized the positive impact of GVPS-IIMPACT initiatives on the children in her Gram Panchayat. She began to see the value of the Girls Learning Center in providing education and opportunities for the children.
 
Awareness of Challenges: Geeta Devi became aware of the challenges faced in running the Girls Learning Centers, particularly the lack of a fixed location. This awareness prompted her to consider solutions to address this issue.
 
Request for Community Hall: Recognizing the need for a fixed location for the Girls Learning Center, Geeta Devi, along with the coordinators, requested the use of a community hall. This request was aimed at providing a dedicated space for the center to operate effectively.
 
Initial Resistance: Initially, the community resisted the idea of allocating the community hall for the Girls Learning Center, as it was used for other purposes. This resistance posed a challenge to Geeta Devi's efforts to secure a space for the center.
 
Persistence and Advocacy: Despite the initial objections from the community, Geeta Devi persisted in her efforts to secure a space for the Girls Learning Center. She advocated for the establishment of the center, emphasizing its importance for the education and development of children in the area.
 
Shift in Community Sentiment: Through her determination and advocacy, there was a shift in community sentiment. Community members themselves began to recognize the importance of the Girls Learning Center and requested the Sarpanch to allocate community buildings for the center's operation.
 
Facilitation of Relocation: Following repeated requests and proper channels of communication, the Sarpanch facilitated the relocation of the learning centers to community buildings in Ratiyapura, Bhauyapura, and Bahrai. This relocation provided a permanent and dedicated space for the center to operate.
 
Community Support: The community came together to support the relocation of the Girls Learning Center. Geeta Devi's husband even provided his tractor to assist in transporting materials to the new location, demonstrating the community's commitment to the center's success.
 
Current Status: Today, the Girls Learning Centers are thriving in their new locations, thanks to Geeta Devi's unwavering commitment and collaborative efforts with GVPS-IIMPACT. The centers are providing education and opportunities for children in the area, contributing to their overall development.
 
Impact and Lessons Learned: Geeta Devi's story serves as a testament to the power of community leadership and collaboration in driving positive change. It highlights the importance of persistence, advocacy, and community support in overcoming challenges and achieving success in community development initiatives
 
 
Quality EducationProject:
 
Case-1- A Mother's Determination for Education Against All Odds
 
Pinky Bai, a 27-year-old resident of Kahar Basti Delunda, had only studied till the fifth class and was working as a laborer to support her three sons after her husband passed away in an accident. When the Quality Education Program started in her community, Pinky Bai was initially unaware that the program was not government-run, and she mistook the Educator for a government head teacher. This misunderstanding led her to not actively participate in school programs.
 
However, as Pinky Bai observed the Educator interacting with the community and learned more about the program, her perception changed. She realized that the Educator was there to help with any problems related to home or studies. Witnessing the Educator teaching while engaging with the children in a playful manner impressed Pinky Bai, and she was inspired to become more independent and ensure a better future for her children. She decided to enroll her children in the local school.
 
When Pinky Bai faced difficulties in getting her children's admission transferred from another school, the Educator supported her in overcoming these challenges. With the Educator's help, Pinky Bai successfully enrolled her child Trilok Kahar in class 4 at Basti school, where he had been admitted in class 3. Pinky Bai regularly visits the school to monitor her children's progress and stay updated on the organization's work.
 
Pinky Bai's transformation and her children's academic success serve as a testament to the positive impact of the program. She now encourages other parents to actively engage with their children's education by visiting the school regularly, discussing any issues with the teachers, and actively participating in their children's academic journey.
 
 
 
Case-2: Parent's Dedication to Education and Community Transformation
 
The community of Morkundana Banjara Basti is one of the many communities engaged by the organization through its Quality Education Program, which operates in 10 government schools across 10 villages. The program's educators play a crucial role in maintaining a connection with the community, encouraging parents to ensure regular attendance for their children, maintain cleanliness, and refrain from taking their children along during seasonal migrations, which often disrupt their education.
 
In this community, we find Mahendra Singh Banjara, a member of the Banjara community, residing in Morkundana Banjara Basti. Mahendra Singh Banjara, a father of seven children, including six daughters and one son, along with his wife and parents, manages a large family with financial constraints. Relying solely on income from a bicycle repair shop, Mahendra is deeply committed to educating his daughters. Despite their financial challenges, two of his daughters attend a senior school, while two others study in a primary school supported by the Educator. Mahendra actively involves himself in his daughters' education, ensuring their punctuality and even personally dropping them off at school when necessary.
 
The efforts of the Educators in the community have yielded significant changes. Over the past two and a half years, the program has successfully discouraged families from taking their children along during migrations. Even in cases where families must migrate, they now keep their children with them for shorter periods, ensuring minimal disruption to their education. The program has also raised awareness about the importance of education among families who were previously unaware. Educators have highlighted the benefits of education and the potential consequences of neglecting it, instilling a sense of responsibility in parents to secure a better future for their children. As a result, 60% of families, including Mahendra's, now send their children to school regularly, emphasizing the growing awareness and positive impact of the program on the community's educational practices.
 
 
 
Case -3 Overcoming Challenges, Embracing Education
 
General Information:
  • Name: Priya Banjara
  • Father: Sukhram Banjara (Laborer)
  • Mother: Ramgani Bai (Homemaker)
  • Siblings: Two sisters
  • Family Members: Parents, three sisters
  • Family Situation: Low economic status, supporting the family with income from a bicycle repair shop

Education Journey:

  • Enrollment: Joined class 1 in January 2023, now in class 2
  • Initial Challenges: Irregular attendance due to family migrations for work
  • Improved Attendance: Started attending regularly after family understood the importance of education
  • Support System: The family entrusts her care to her aunt during migrations to ensure her regular school attendance
  • Behavior and Learning Style:
  • Personality: Shy and prefers solitude
  • Learning Preferences: Enjoys studying with Teaching-Learning Materials (TLMs), especially through flashcards and activities
 
Academic Progress:
 
  • Language Skills: Knows Hindi alphabet, can make sentences, recites poetry
  • Mathematical Skills: Counts from 1 to 50, understands small and big numbers, can differentiate and add numbers, learning to recognize and write numbers from 1 to 20
  • Transformation: From a shy, irregular attendee to a confident, active participant in school
  • Academic Growth: Progressed in language and mathematical skills, showcasing dedication and hard work
  • Social Integration: Participates in various activities, eats with friends, and speaks confidently
About the learning level of Priya, then the language (Hindi) Priya knows the alphabet completely through flash cards. She also knows how to make sentences by combining different words. She tries her best to recite poetry through flash cards. In mathematics, if we see Priya from 1 to 50 counting, she knows how to speak, small and big numbers, and she can tell difference and addition, she is also learning to recognize numbers from 1 to 20, write, she knows how to identify light and heavy, can tell objects in this manner. In small, big, thick, thin, light, and full, she knows how to measure different objects in this way. 
 
Conclusion: Priya has come to the regular school as a beginner and has tried her hand again to see a lot of changes in her. Priya was very shy at first, but now she never feels shy, now she speaks like a song, tries to read poetry, and also participates actively with everyone. Priya has eaten food with her friends. She also participates in various activities.
 

 

Kailash Satyarthi Children Foundation (KSCF) and Child Line-1098
 
 
Case study: 1 – The Legal Stand Halting Satyapraka's Early Marriage
 
The marriage between Satyapraka Chauhan and Anusuya was the talk of the town in Bhairurura Ojha. Satyapraka, the son of Mahair Chauhan, came from a well-known family with a strong political background in Bundi. Anusuya, on the other hand, was the daughter of Babardhi Lal Gra Sahaj, a respected figure in Jhapuri (Raghun Thapur).
 
The news of their marriage raised eyebrows as both Satyapraka and Anusuya were minors. Satyapraka's date of birth was recorded as 15/06/2004, making him just shy of 19, while Anusuya's date of birth was 11/05/2006, making her barely 17. This raised legal concerns, as the legal age for marriage in India is 21 for males and 18 for females.
 
Despite their young age, both families were financially stable, and the parents had decent educational qualifications. However, what caught the attention of many was Satyapraka's father, who was a politician in Bundi. When questioned about the early marriage, he justified it by citing societal norms and traditions prevalent in their community.
 
The controversy deepened when it was revealed that Satyapraka had been expelled from school due to his age. The family, however, refused to provide his Aadhaar record and mark sheet, adding to the suspicion surrounding the marriage.
 
Community members were divided over the issue, with some defending the marriage as a cultural practice, while others criticized it as illegal and harmful to the children's future. The District Administration intervened and stopped the marriage, emphasizing the importance of education and the legal age for marriage.
 
After the marriage was called off, both Satyapraka and Anusuya resumed their studies, hoping to build a better future for themselves. The incident sparked a debate in the community about the need to uphold the law and protect the rights of minors.
 
 
Case -2: The Story of Raunak Kushwaha's Fight Against Child Marriage 
 
Raunak Kushwaha, a young girl from the picturesque village of Shaslor in Thana Sadar, Block Bandi, District Bandi, had her life take an unexpected turn when her name became entangled in a web of controversy surrounding child marriage.
Born to Leela Bai on 06/05/2006, Raunak's innocence and childhood were threatened by the prospect of an early marriage. The first hint of trouble came when Childline 1098 received information about a potential child marriage involving Raunak. To verify her age, the Childline team obtained her census from the Government Higher Secondary School, confirming that she was indeed a minor.
With this confirmation, a joint effort involving the Childline team, members of the Kailash Satyarthi Children Foundation, and the police swung into action. On 02/05/2023, they arrived at Raunak's house, supported by the local administration, and promptly halted the marriage, banning all family members and relatives from attending.
Despite the ban, news surfaced on May 5, 2023, of a marriage sammelan in Dadgod, where Raunak was allegedly set to be married again, this time in the Kushwaha community. The family had organized the marriage after taking her to the Digod Sammelan. The Childline team rushed to the scene, only to discover that a medical certificate had been procured for Raunak, stating she was 19 years old.
Suspicions arose regarding the authenticity of the medical certificate, prompting the district administration to intervene. Upon investigation, the certificate was deemed invalid, leading to the detention of Raunak's family and relatives by the local administration and the Childline team. Raunak, along with her family, was sent back to Bundi school, away from the tumultuous events that had engulfed her young life.
A committee was formed by the Bundi district administration to scrutinize the dubious medical certificate and ascertain its origin. As investigations unfolded, it became apparent that Raunak was not married; she was safe with her family in Bundi, shielded from the storm of controversy that had threatened to disrupt her childhood.
 
Case- 3: From Darkness to Light: Pooja Bairia's Resilience Shines
 
In the heart of Rajasthan, in the serene village of Okarpura, a young girl named Pooja Bairia fought a battle that resonated far beyond her humble surroundings. Pooja's story began with tragedy, as she lost her father at just six months old. Her mother, Mamta Bairia, resilient and determined, embarked on a journey with her daughter, seeking solace and a fresh start.
 
Life in Okarpura wasn't easy for Pooja and her family. They lived under the shadow of the Nata system, a cultural practice that often dictated unconventional family structures. Pooja's immediate family included her mother, her younger brother-in-law, and her grandmother. Mamta, the sole provider and protector, faced the added challenge of caring for her mentally unwell younger brother-in-law.
 
Pooja, bright-eyed and full of dreams, was a student in the 8th grade when her life took an unexpected turn. After completing her exams, Pooja's maternal uncle, with unknown intentions, took her to Bwanipura. It was here that Pooja's world was upended as her uncle arranged her marriage without her consent, all while keeping her parents in the dark.
 
Thankfully, fate intervened in the form of Child Line 1098. On the 20th of April 2023, they received a tip about Pooja's forced marriage. The dedicated team, armed with compassion and determination, uncovered the truth. Pooja's uncle had accepted money for her marriage, and the engagement was already finalized for the 20th of April, with the marriage set for the 5th of May.
 
The Child Line team, through meticulous investigation, discovered Pooja's date of birth, confirming her status as a minor. This critical information was swiftly passed to the authorities, leading to the intervention of the district administration. Pooja's uncle, along with her parents and other family members, were restrained from going ahead with the illegal marriage.
 
But the story doesn't end there. Pooja, brave and resolute, expressed her desire to continue her studies and not be forced into marriage. The Child Line team, recognizing her determination and potential, provided her with round-the-clock counseling and support.
 
Pooja's saga culminated in May 2023, as her case was presented before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) for her care and protection. Her journey from a vulnerable position to a beacon of hope serves as a testament to the power of intervention and the resilience of the human spirit.
 
 
Case-4: Breaking Chains, Empowering Dreams Asha Banjara's Fight Against Child Marriage
 
In the rustic village of Morakundana, Rajasthan, the story of Asha Banjara unfolded, revealing the harsh realities faced by many young girls in rural India. Asha, born on the 8th of July, 2008, to Vishnu Banjara and Rumali Bai, found herself at the center of a struggle against tradition and poverty.
 
The Child Line team and members of the Kailash Satyarthi Children Foundation (KSCF) were alerted to Asha's situation—a minor marriage had taken place on the 25th of April, 2023. Asha, certified as a minor based on her school records, was wedded off due to her family's dire financial circumstances. Her parents, seeking to marry off both Asha and her elder sister, Tasveera Banjara, in a single ceremony to save costs, explained that Vishnu worked as a daily laborer while Rumali managed the household and occasionally undertook agricultural and midwifery work. Asha's mother revealed that Asha had previously attempted to flee, which prompted the decision to marry her off.
 
During counseling, Asha expressed her resignation to her fate, stating that she no longer attended school beyond the 5th grade. Village norms dictated that girls should not pursue education outside the village, limiting Asha's prospects to household chores. Her family, lacking any substantial income source, felt compelled to prioritize Asha's marriage, believing it would safeguard their honor and community standing.
 
The intervention of the ChildLine team and KSCF members was crucial. They educated Asha's family about the detrimental effects of child marriage, highlighting its impact on mental, physical, and economic well-being. Their efforts, along with the local administration's support, led to the detainment of Asha's parents and other family members, preventing further harm to Asha.
 
Asha's story is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by many young girls in rural India, where poverty and traditional practices often collide, robbing them of their childhood and prospects. Through timely intervention and education, Asha's case stands as a beacon of hope, highlighting the importance of protecting the rights and dignity of every child.
 
Case- 5:Unveiling Resilience: Dhara Singh's Journey to Freedom
 
In the quaint village of Kua, nestled within the boundaries of Police Station Gendoli, Block K. Ratan, District Bandhi, a young boy named Dhara Singh was facing a pivotal moment in his life. Born on the 1st of January 2003, Dhara's world was about to change as his family arranged his marriage despite his objections.
 
Dhara, a member of a modest family comprising his father Raja Ram, his mother Rang Lali Bai, and his sisters, found solace in the toy-selling business that sustained their livelihood. However, a cloud of uncertainty loomed over his future as his family prepared for his marriage, a decision he did not support. Despite their financial struggles, Dhara's family had made ends meet through various means, including selling crops and sugarcane, along with their toy-selling enterprise.
 
In a surprising revelation, Dhara disclosed that he had been married to a girl named Gopi Bacharya Tanisik Miipuri Jal Tok a year prior, due to familial disputes. However, the marriage had ended, and both parties agreed to allow each other to remarry. Dhara expressed his desire to marry Kusma, a girl from a family struggling with financial hardship and mental illness.
 
Kusma's family, comprising her father, four sisters, and a brother, had faced similar challenges, with both Kusma and her elder sister marrying on the same day the previous year. The family's livelihood depended on selling balloons, adding to their financial strain.
 
Upon receiving this information, the Child Line 1098 team and the Kailash Satyarthi Children's Foundation (KSCF) intervened. They educated both families about the consequences of child marriage and facilitated discussions regarding Dhara's marital status. It was discovered that Dhara was still a minor, which further complicated the situation.
 
Despite these challenges, Dhara's resilience and determination shone through. With the support of the KSCF and the guidance provided, Dhara embarked on a journey to navigate his future with newfound freedom and a sense of empowerment. His story serves as a reminder of the importance of standing up against outdated traditions and embracing a future of possibilities.