EMPOWER & IGNITE THE YOUTH FOR A BETTER NATION

POWER TO EMPOWER

 “Technology empowered and we now dream to change our lives, otherwise being from the community of scavengers we could never aspire for any other type of job. We never had any exposure specially of learning soft skills which Literacy India provided us and employment opportunities in Malls/ offices. “Echoes the Voices of Youth beneficiaries belonging to scavengers community -Belgachia

 About Howrah Belgachia in West Benga

 Belgachia is the place located in Howrah district very near to Howrah Station and Salkia, Kolkata. There are two way to reach this place that is through Liluah station and bus or from Howrah station. Belgachia has a vast land of waste dumping station. Belgachia Bhagar (local name) is one of the biggest slum area in West Bengal As the areas are heaped with waste material dumping station, most of the nearby communities are engaged into rag picking as a profession.

The entire community is migrant from Bihar; they are dom( helping hand in crematorium)  by caste. Children since morning are roaming with a big bag in order to do the rag picking.  They earn between Rs. 100 to Rs.150/-.  They are not going to school. Even few who are going to school are doing rag picking as a part time after school hours. Few male folk are KMCs Safai Karmachai (Scavengers), few are doing vegetable vending and Rickshaw pulling.  Women are doing household work; few are going outside as the domestic help. Youth and men are addicted with alcohol and substance abuse .  Women are facing domestic violence, physical abuse. Girls are drop out from school & youth just playing cards, seat idle and carry an aimless look. Pigs are roaming around the area.

Literacy India & Belgachia Computer Centre:

Literacy India following its motto “Education with a Purpose “did the survey of the community, need assessment and stakeholder analysis. It prepared the composite plan for community empowerment with a view to make it more sustainable. On the basis of the plan it had started the following:

1) Active involvement in Govt. Primary School through ICT program for poor children

2) Skill training for livelihood for women on sewing, tailoring, Paper Bags and sessions on becoming an entrepreneur.

3) Youth vocational training program on Computer Basic Level courses along with placement grooming in the job.

 Youth Vocational Training Program:

In this area both young girls and boys face real challenge in education, vocational training and employment opportunities; during survey and initial discussion and FGD showed the following issues:

1. Youth are careless to join any vocational courses until and unless the placement is secured. They want easy & quick money- as a result, there is a constant challenge of absenteeism, non-acceptance of work, drop-out, and attrition from jobs.
2. The high schools in this area do not have computer lab. Apart from that affordability and access to computers are becoming major challenging factors.
3. Youth are learning through vernacular language with local dialect. As a result, the youth lacked Spoken English which was needed to face interview.
4. Opening of livelihood opportunities became restricted due to their lack of awareness on various schemes and opportunities.
5. Even sometimes when opportunities come, the attitude, inhibitions, laziness among youth prevented them to take up the opportunities.

Activities undertaken:

• Survey has been undertaken
• Mobilize the youth on the basis of FGD
• Place to start the program has been identified
• Install the Laptops and Computers
• Recruitment of a teacher
• Classes have been regular.

Impact of the program:

• Out of 25 enrolled youth 23 are regularly attended the classes.
• These 23 had already visited corporate and hotel as part of their exposure visit.
• 4 have been selected for Hoonar Se Rojgaar( placement) program organized by Taj Bengal , Kolkata
• 2 have already been selected by BMA Wealth Creators
• Rests already applied for job through govt. competitive exams for odd jobs.

 Stories of Change:

Name: Guria Age: 20 Location: West Bengal

Guria (name changed) is  twenty  years old. Her father is from Bihar and mother is from Bengal.   Father is cab- driver in Howrah area. Guria’s mother always is having a high hope for her children. Guria being an elder in the family always has to face the pressure from parents. After her completion of her middle school (X standard) she was working as a tutor for the local kids; her father did not allow her to join in the college. During school time she had an affair with a local boy which her parents were averse to. Parents were always afraid that if they would allow her to join in college she would flee elope with the boy. However, parents need support from her if she can manage to earn.  Literacy India had organized a youth orientation where Guria had participated. She then took her parents to Literacy India’s centre and convinced them to allow her to join in the centre.  She is regular in the centre and at present she is planning to complete the course and also willing to join XII standard exam through NIOS.  The constant interaction with Literacy India’s staff enables Guria to think beyond Belgachia area.

Name: Jailal Age: 18 Location: West Bengal

Jailal(name changed)  is a son of scavenger. His grandparents were engaged in manual scavenging under Howrah Municipal Corporation.  Jailal has three brothers. Jailal completed Madhayamik in the year 2014. He started computer training in Literacy India centre as a part of his career growth. Although he is taking admission for XI but he is always looking for vocational training so that after completion of the mainstream exam he can join in job directly. He took these years as a preparing ground for joining the job.  In the meantime he has applied for Hoonarse Rojgaar ( placement)program organized by Taj Bengal, Kolkata. He was selected for 8 weeks training cum internship there.

Jitendar (name changed) was dreaming to do teaching job in the school since childhood. Although he was very goodin mathematics, he is poor in English both in communication and writing. Jitendar has four brothers. He is the youngest- he knows Sanskrit very well. His father has a stationery shop at Howrah Daspara area. He came to literacy India learning centre for taking computer training. His aim was to serve the children through private tuitions. While started computer learning and association with Literacy India had changed the vision of Jitendar.

Jitendar was selected by BM Wealth Creators for their BPO job. He is now waiting to join the job as well as he is also taking admission for B. COM ( Bachelor of Commerce Degree course ) through distant learning.

Links:

• Literacy IndiaLet Us Connect -Story of small joy and big success