Transform lives of 85 child laborers in India

The project continues to be the only source of quality education for the children of this region. Over the past year, we have seen children from far off communities enrolling in the classes to access a better education. The children’s learning has improved. The older children have grown in confidence and can now speak more fluently. At a recent event, even the youngest children recited poems and rhymes with ease. They proudly recited English, Telugu and Hindi rhymes taught to them by our teachers. Another achievement in this past year has been the setting up of a Parents’ Committee. The parent representatives on this community are being encouraged to play a more active role in their children’s education. They help advocate with the community of issues of importance such as attendance, garbage disposal and health.  The rehabilitation centre education has created awareness amongst students due to which they are attending the classes timely.

Writing and reading promotion activities were given more emphasis this year in the rehabilitation center. The objective of this program was to take children out of the text book context and familiarize them with the language. This includes writing copywriting books, writing homework, correct pronunciation, simple grammar, songs and poetry. Children were encouraged to come forward and talk to their class and read aloud. The children came regularly as they found the class interesting and beneficial to them. Apart from these activities children were also started to read library books in the centre.

People living in slum communities find it difficult to make both the ends meet with their meager income. The large family size makes it difficult to feed all the children and thus children do not receive required amount of nutrition. From the inception of the Project we are providing good nutritious food as mid-day meals for all the children in all the working days.  We were providing eggs to the children once in a month.  Every child is given specific amount of nutrition. This ensures that the children will get at least one square meal a day.  As a result they have good health status and they are able to concentrate better on their studies.

A staff meeting is held every month to reorient the staff, so that they gradually give up the black board method of teaching and enhance their own capacity to take up the issues and matters, which affect the daily life of the children. The teachers teach how to cope with the hazardous working environment and also how to take precautionary measures to avoid mishaps and sickness.

The parents were having a get together once in a month at our rehabilitation centre and discuss about their children curriculum status, health and other children education related issues with HEARDS management committee and staff. During this time they will share their children’s academic improvement, progress and expected cooperation and support.  These regular meetings are helping us to build a good rapport with the parents and the children.

It was also happy to announce that GlobalGiving has recognised HEARDS as Top Ranked Organisation for the year 2017.  All these credits has been achieved by our organisation is because of the valuable donors like you.  I am hereby enclosing the pictures of activities 

Thanking you,

Kuriyakose Sajan

Chairman, HEARDS