Eight years after communal riots led to the deaths of over 1,000 people in Gujarat, India, the widows and children of many victims are still struggling to rebuild their lives. Left without a means to support themselves or pursue the opportunities that could improve their quality of life, these women and children have been forced to cope with the psychological trauma caused by the riot with little help or hope.

The Self Employed Women’s Assocation (SEWA) established the Hamare Bachche (“Our Children”) Program to rehabilitate children who lost one or both parents in the 2002 riots and ensure they return to school to finish their education. The program supports the enrollment of children between the ages of 3-18 years in Nursery, Primary and Secondary Schools.

This project will allow 40 children to participate in the Hamare Bachche Program through the 2010 academic year so they can continue their education, achieve self-reliance, and seek more prosperous opportunities for their families. In addition to sponsoring the 40 students’ tuition and school fees, the project will also provide each of them with necessary books, stationery, school bags, uniforms, counseling, healthcare services, and extra-curricular field trips and other provisions. Each child and family will also be specially monitored and supported by the SEWA program teams to ensure that the children attend school and are progressing in their studies and growth.

In 2002, a train in the city of Godhra in Gujarat, India was set ablaze by a mob, sparking a massive riot that caused the deaths of over a 1,000 people. The majority of these victims were male breadwinners from poor communities. According to official accounts, 900 women were widowed and over 600 children orphaned by the riots. In addition, many children were severely shocked by the brutal violence and a large number were forced to witness their parents being burned alive.

Tragically, the widows and children of the riot's victims have suffered more than deep psychological trauma; they have also lost their primary source of financial support. As they do not have the professional and educational background needed, these women and children have been unable to restart their lives, even years after the riot.

Community member details not available yet.

Direct Impact of Your Project

• Provides school tuition, school supplies, tutoring, healthcare, and trauma counseling for 40 children affected by communal violence through the 2010 academic year
• Allows students to complete a full year of school so they can acquire skills to advance towards successful futures

Extended Impact on Your Partner Community

• Instills a sense of hope in 200 close relatives and community members of the participating children and demonstrates the possibilities that still await Ahmedabad
• Demonstrates the power of education in creating a better future for an entire community