Background
The Aarushi Children's Home for Girls (CHG) is a part of the Salaam Baalak Trust (SBT) which is
dedicated to providing quality services to girls who have been rescued from difficult and vulnerable
situations and are in need of care and protection. The Aarushi team has worked tirelessly to provide
these girls with a safe and nurturing environment so that they can reach their full potential.
During the reporting period, the Aarushi team has been supporting the girls round the clock,
especially during the pandemic.
With the valuable support of Sevencia, the team has been able to provide support to 89 children,
which is a remarkable achievement.
This report highlights the various activities that were undertaken by the team during the pandemic.
The team also took various measures to ensure the safety and well-being of the children, including
regular health check-ups, regular sanitization of the premises, and strict adherence to COVID-19
protocols. It also elaborates on the efforts made by the Aarushi team to provide a conducive
environment for the holistic development of the children. The team organized various
extracurricular activities, such as sports, music, and art classes, to help the girls develop their skills
and interests. The team also provided counselling and emotional support to the children to help
them deal with any issues they may be facing.
Key Highlights and Update
Aarushi Children Home for Girls (CHG) is committed to providing the girls with a safe and
supportive environment that enables them to achieve their full potential. To this end, the centre
focuses on four key areas: education, health, mental health support, and security services.
1.1. Education
Education is a key priority for Aarushi Children's Home, as it is recognized as a powerful tool for
enabling girls from vulnerable backgrounds to transform their lives. Thanks to the support of
Sevencia, the centre has been able to provide educational support to a total of 26 girls through
formal schooling. This support has included assistance with school fees, books, uniforms, and other
necessary materials, enabling the girls to attend school regularly and achieve better academic
results. It is worth noting that this support has not been limited to girls without special needs - on
the contrary, the centre has made sure to provide assistance to all girls, regardless of their individual
challenges and circumstances.
In addition to formal schooling, the centre has also provided support to four girls pursuing higher
education courses. Two girls are enrolled in programs such as IHM, one of them is doing BBA, and
one BA in Psychology. This support has enabled the girls to pursue their dreams and gain the skills
and knowledge they need to achieve success in their chosen fields.
The centre has also provided educational support to 9 girls through the National Institute of Open
Schooling (NIOS). This program allows girls who are unable to attend regular school due to various
reasons, such as family responsibilities or health issues, to continue their education through a
flexible and open system. Additionally, 29 girls have received non-formal education. This support has
enabled the girls to gain valuable skills and knowledge that will help them in their future endeavours.
1.2. Physical Health Support
At Aarushi Children Home, we believe that good health is a basic right of every child, especially those who come from vulnerable backgrounds. Given that many of our girls come from impoverished backgrounds where health is often given low priority, we face a significant challenge in
ensuring their well-being. However, we have made it a top priority to provide the girls with a healthy and balanced diet that includes three hot cooked meals per day, as well as milk, eggs, chicken, and fruits. In addition, we provide the girls with calcium, iron, and multivitamin supplements
to support their overall health and well-being.
During the reporting period, we dealt with three pregnancy cases and conducted a full investigation
of 35 children to ensure their overall health status. We also organized a dental camp and health
camp within the center premises to provide the girls with access to additional health services and
support.
1.3. Mental Health Support
At Aarushi Children Home for Girls, the team recognizes the importance of addressing the mental
health needs of the girls who come from traumatic backgrounds. Therefore, a full team of mental
health professionals, including a full-time psychologist and psychiatrist, is appointed to ensure the
girls receive the support they need. This team works tirelessly to help the girls overcome any mental
health challenges they may face, which can include anxiety, depression, trauma, and other related
issues. By providing mental health support, the center helps to create a safe and supportive
environment where the girls can heal and thrive. This approach ensures that the girls are not only
physically healthy but also mentally well-prepared for a bright and successful future.
1.4. Safety and Security Services
Ensuring the safety and security of the girls at Aarushi Childrens Home is of utmost importance. The
center understands that many of the girls who come to them have experienced traumatic situations
and may have safety concerns. Therefore, the center employs 24/7 security guards to monitor the
premises and ensure the safety of the children. These guards are trained to handle critical situations
that may arise and are equipped with the necessary tools to protect the children. The centre is committed to providing a safe and secure environment where the girls can feel protected and free
to focus on their personal development. The presence of security guards has helped to reassure the
girls and their families that they are in a safe and secure environment.
4. Achievements
Aarushi Childrens Home has achieved several significant milestones over the past year. One
notable accomplishment is the increase in the girls technology skills, which has enabled them to stay informed about current national and international events,complete assignments, and homework
using computers. The girls now view computer classes as a prerequisite for skill
development and job placement. The centre has also made progress in ensuring that all girls receive the appropriate education for their needs. Two girls were enrolled in a special school, and one girl
underwent heart surgery to improve her health. One child was admitted to the prestigious
Lawrence School in Sanawar, which is a great achievement.
o The centre has successfully handled a large number of cases related to the Protection of
Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO), ensuring that the girls received the necessary support
and care, by linking them with the child protection mechanism.
o Additionally, four girls are currently pursuing higher education. Two of them are enrolled in the
Institute of Hotel Management for graduation, one girl is studying Bachelor in Business
Administration (CAM), and one is studying BA in Psychology.
o We celebrated all major festivals, providing a sense of community and joy to the girls. This
initiates interaction and creates bonds between the girls to support each other in times of need.
5. Challenges
o Despite our successes, we have faced a number of challenges in the past year. One of the biggest
challenges has been managing the needs of children with special needs. We currently have
almost 5 children who require special attention and care, and this has been a particularly
difficult task for our team. We have been working hard to provide them with the necessary
support and resources to ensure their well-being.
o Another challenge has been the rehabilitation of the girls with special needs. It is a difficult task
to provide them with the care and attention they need to help them overcome their challenges
and integrate into society.
o Additionally, dealing with pregnancy cases has also been a challenge. We have had to navigate
complex legal and medical issues to ensure the best possible outcomes for the girls and their
babies. Despite these challenges, we remain committed to our mission of providing a safe and
nurturing environment for all of our girls and will continue to work tirelessly to overcome any
obstacles we may face.
A BIG THANKYOU TO ALL OUR DONORS FOR THE CONTINOUS SUPPORT