project

Services for Children with Disabilities in West Bengal

people served

914

themes

Education

Gender Equality

location

Maharashtra and Chatisgargh

What are the challenges?

Young people from Dalit backgrounds living in slums in the project areas around Nagpur, Raipur, and Janjgir are often required to start earning as young as 13. Conditions at home, when families are living in one or two poorly constructed rooms, are unsupportive of study. Consequently, many students drop out of school at a very young age and have low aspirations for themselves. Women and girls are disproportionately affected and are often married off young. These groups often lack the skills to approach employers or the confidence to believe that they can better themselves, and without additional support, are at risk of spending their lives in undignified daily wage labour.

What is the aim of the project?

This project, called Aryaloka, offers accredited IT training for people both from higher and lower caste backgrounds.

Teachers (many of whom are ex-students) are trained to work with students who have negative experiences of formal education, and due to the online nature of courses students can work at their own pace and study while still continuing to work part-time. Students are also offered confidence-building workshops, and support with interviews and help to access higher education and apply for jobs.

What are the main activities?

Students can study for accredited courses in basic IT skills, desktop publishing, graphic design and accounting in a conducive environment with support from knowledgeable well trained teachers
Spoken English classes and personal development classes are also offered, as well as self-defense sessions for women
Students are signposted to job placements and given support with interview skills and accessing further education opportunities