Project update (Kailash)

1. Training workshops for community members

In keeping with SMGC’s motto of Globalising Compassion, training workshops were organized for community members including youth and women leaders. The sessions focused on compassionate action as the most powerful tool for social transformation. Representatives from different communities were oriented on how a single spark of compassion can lead to paradigm shifting of social transformation and meaningful impact at scale. SMGC believes compassion is the most powerful way to self-actualization, rebuild our shared humanity, and ensure a lasting and sustainable future for all.

2. Mass awareness programs for children

Bal Ashram is home to children rescued from child labour, slavery, and trafficking, children who essentially have no one to turn to, and children whose voices have never been heard before. Advocacy and awareness programs are held regularly to apprise them of their rights and duties and bring them up to speed with the happenings in and around them. Inspiring stories by youth leaders help them understand not just their rights to live a life with dignity but also enjoy the fruits of freedom. Efforts are also made to connect with the government's social welfare schemes. In the process, children take up the resolve to stand up against child labour and any form of exploitation within communities once they are mainstreamed with society.

3. Counselling sessions for survivors

Considering the deep psychological trauma most of the children have had to go through before being brought into Bal Ashram, periodic counselling sessions were conducted to help children cope with trauma and its psycho-social impact. Based on one-on-one sessions, individual educational plans are being developed for children to improve their social-emotional and educational skills. Additionally, individual counselling sessions for severe cases were conducted weekly through a reputed healthcare chain in India to improve emotional regulation.

4. Bal Panchayat in Bal Ashram

The formation of Bal Panchayat or Child Council to promote equal participation of children and youth in solving diverse issues in their communities lies at the core of our work. In January 2023, a new Child Council was elected through a process of democratic elections. Eleven child leaders, who are now ambassadors of the rights of children at the Bal Ashram, were elected in the process. The child council is constituted of presidents, vice presidents and various ministers whose major roles and responsibilities are to ensure children's welfare and development through democratic participation and contribute to positive societal change.

5. Empowering Girls through Awareness sessions

To raise awareness about the rights and safety of girls, National Girl Child Day was celebrated by more than 2000 girls. The event included educational sessions where girls were informed about the concepts of good touch and bad touch, underscoring the importance of speaking out against discrimination and violence. Additionally, a self-defence training session was organized to equip girls to combat crimes.

6. Improving women's literacy through community classes

To improve gender empowerment regular home visits, awareness and literacy sessions were held at regular intervals for females. These sessions taught them to write basic letters, including their names. Regular home visits were done every month to enhance female literacy. During the reporting period, 266 women who had never been to school, learned to write basic letters, including their names. Consequently, women from villages were also introduced to opening savings accounts in banks, allowing them to save money for themselves and their children, to secure a better future.

7. Awareness Generation on Child Marriage

During the reporting period, significant effortd were made to combat child marriage through a series of initiatives. Various meetings were conducted, and a dedicated Child Marriage Free Campaign was organized on 16th October 2003 when mass events were organized, bringing together all members of the community and schools to eliminate child marriage. During these events, a collective candle march following which 552,074 pledges were taken by the community members to actively contribute their efforts towards creating Child Marriage-Free communities.