"Nayantara" a Girl Child Sponsorship Programme

Girls are not legally allowed to get married before at least 18 years. but unfortunately we observed  for a long time that there are many poor families in this remote part of sundarban who are being forced to get married their girl child before 15 or 16 only due to financial problems. Early pregnancies, risk of maternal and child mortality, poor health condition of child and mother, including the problem of malnutrition are the obvious outcome of this practice.

 The initiative of NAYANTARA PRAKALPA by  Sabuj Sangha is taken to improve the life and status of the girls by helping economically and morally backward families of this village of Nandakumarpur, so that those families do not arrange marriage of their girl child before at least 18 years and ensure their education at least upto higher secondary.

 It is decided that Sabuj Sangha will provide those girl child required books, educational kids, monthly tution fees, provide free coaching for English and mathematic, and even few things like cosmatics  for use in their daily life.

we never expected that level of changes that Sumana got after taken admission in Nayantara” said Sumana’s  parent. Sumana was a bright student from the beginning. She only needed proper guidance and motivation to flourish herself. and within this short span of time she upgraded to a great extent.

‘We are really grateful to Nayantara for motivating and guiding my daughter. Before taking admission in Nayantara of Sabuj Sangha, my daughter was not studying regularly and was roaming around with others in the neighbourhood. She was engaged in playing most of the time. There was no discipline observed in her life and also not involved into proper hygiene practices. Now she is much more regular in her studies and became very disciplined as she is getting support from Nayantara”. responded Shrestha’s mother

It was really necessary to take such an initiative like Nayantara for the betterment of the community. This initiative is really beneficial for the entire community of Nandakumarpur. Such initiatives should go hand in hand with the government. Therefore, linkages with the local stakeholders were established namely Prodhan and Member of local Gram Panchayat, Parents, teachers of different school. They are pleased with this intervention and they desire to continue this initiative in future for community betterment and we are still in the learning period.

Story of Adhunika:

Adhunika can be easily spotted in the classroom, among the other girls due to her vivacious nature. “But six months ago she   was not the same, she used to hide seeing a stranger”, says    Pravati Mondal, teacher of  Nayantara, at Nandakumarpur, where Adhunika has been coming for the pas six months Adhunika’s mother Aparna, who being only sourse of income in the family works door to door for earning and she is the only daughter of them. Her father Sidhheswar , has been suffering from physical illness and not able to earn. With the responsibility of household work of the  family  Adhunika couldn’t continue her study. Having lost her voice in such a vulnerable family, she found it back again after coming to Nayantara.

Being a fast learner Adhunika quickly acquired competency in language and math. She is also learning several art and craft along with computer classes. “The knowledge of art and craft classes helps me in making different objects like doll, toys etc.”, says Adhunika. With her increased confidence and skills, Adhunika wants to earn a living by making different product in her home. She is equally good in dancing and in academic performance in her class.