Tuition Centre: Gaghar Bridge
Education, Nutrition - Chandigarh
Colony 3 and 4 Khakarmongali, right bank of Gaghar River, Panchkula
Why
- Migrants from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar in search of employment encroached on a 100-acre plot of government land. The highly congested slum has existed for over 40 years.
- Living conditions are sub-standard with no sanitation. The government has provided residents with voting cards and two water tanks that cater for the entire slum at a ratio of 100 people per water tap.
- Men work mainly as drivers or labourers and women often work as maids or domestic help.
- There is widespread gambling and alcohol abuse amongst the men and loitering and substance abuse by teenage boys.
- Children usually have one parent due to the high incidence of alcoholism and drug abuse. Their daily routine includes attending school, collecting wood, fetching water, a meager lunch of rice with salt and afternoon employment such as watering gardens and delivering pamphlets to homes.
- Half of the children do not attend government schools. There is little or no awareness of the importance of education; hence the need to make very basic education available.
Tuition Centre
- Provides afternoon tuition for 50 children.
- Distributes toys and living essentials such as blankets and thermals.
- Organises field trips, functions and celebrations of festivals.
Services
- A fresh, nutritious meal is provided daily.
- A paediatrician provides treatment for children and adults twice a week.
- The students' hygeine has improved tremendously due to awareness created by volunteers and medical care.
Vision
- To instil values, hope and the confidence to realise dreams.
- To create a thirst for knowledge, and nurture self-respect and respect for others.
- To alleviate poverty through empowerment.
- To create global citizens through breaking down barriers of nationality, religion, caste and creed and emphasising our shared humanity.
