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What?

This program covers the costs of education for the Hamare Bachche children, in addition to:
-Trauma Assessment and Counseling
-School fees and supplies
-Uniforms
-Room and Board (if necessary)
-Health Care Services
-Childcare Services for Younger Children
-Vocational Guidance and Trainings
-Extra-curricular Activities and Field Trips
-Organizing special programs like Summer Camps, Workshops, and picnics
-Exam Preparation and Tutoring

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Why?

The psychological trauma faced by the children requires special care and attention, as many of the children witnessed the death of one or both parents in the brutality of the communal riots. The violence and its aftermath greatly disrupted the lives of entire communities; families who lost their sole breadwinner struggled to make ends meet and children who lost both parents were placed in orphanages or with distant relatives. As a result, children were left out of school and unable to pay for their education costs.

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How?

The primary aim of the rehabilitation of the children after the horrible events of 2002 is to divert their minds from the tragic incident. As education should be the main priority for any child, it is crucial for the children to go back to school and attend it regularly. SEWA started the Hamare Bachche program to sponsor and encourage the children to continue their education. However, the children were afraid to leave their homes as they were still haunted by the past. Their mothers were also reluctant to send their children to school out of fear.

SEWA initiated a faith-building process with its grassroots researchers acting as hand-holders. The SEWA team frequently visited and spent more time with the children and their mothers giving solace and encouragement, supporting their return to school and regular activities.

In addition, special teams visit the children at school every week. The team meets the class teachers, principals and gets the report of the child’s progress. Regular meetings with parents are held to help counsel parents on how to provide quality education for their children at home. The team members also tutor the weak students and coordinate with schoolteachers regularly and especially during the examination time to inspire confidence and improve academic performance.

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History of Villages in Anand & Kheda

In 2002, a train in the city of Godhra in Gujarat, India was set ablaze by a mob, sparking a massive riot that resulted in the deaths of over a 1,000 people. The dead were mostly several male breadwinners of these poor communities. According to official accounts, 900 women were widowed and over 600 children orphaned. Many of the children were severely shocked by the brutality of the Gujarat riots, and often witnessed their parents being burnt alive by mobs. The widows and children of these victims not only suffered deep psychological trauma; they also lost their means of livelihood and lack the education and support to restart their lives.

Many of these widows were fully supported by their husbands and lived in seclusion. After the death of their husbands, they were bound by custom to stay at home and mourn. In some cases, their inactivity fueled their severe depression. As a labor union, SEWA recognizes the value of work not only for income but also as a confidence booster. Some of the widows began proactively seeking employment, realizing that the compensation money from the government would not last and also that they needed a way of interacting with others.

This program will cover children from 16 villages in this district. This includes Mogar, Mehmdabad, Ankleshwar, Surat, Khambhat, Borsad, Nadiad, Vasad, Kapadvanj, Chikhodra, Sanghana, Sojitra, Bhalej, Thamna and Mehlaj. There are childcare centers and a primary school in these villages. However for high school, the children have to go to nearby villages. These villages have a primary health care centre. The main mode of transportation is by auto rickshaws and buses. These children live in the outskirts of the villages. There is a bridge that has been built for commuting. The children use this bridge to go to school and it takes them 20-30 minutes. The main forms of employment in these villages are agriculture, casual labor, cattle rearing, household work and grocery stores.

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Challenges facing Villages in Anand & Kheda

These children are provided with fees, books, stationery and other sundries. However, due to the lack of funds, this year we have been unable to pay fees and purchase study materials for the children. As a result, it has become very difficult for the children to further their studies. So, some children have discontinued their studies.

Thus the major need is for funds to pay their school fees and provide them with the material in order to enable them to continue their studies.

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