News
- “Bolivia is not doing enough to protect girls against sexual violence"
- New projects against child exploitation in Ehiopia
- Government promises action against Dutch pedophiles in foreign countries
- Bangladeshi projects make headlines in Dutch newspapers
- Foundation stone for new vocational training institute in Bangladesh
- Project Partner Koinonia helps flood victims return to school
- Terre des Hommes hospital ship no longer needed
- Flood relief in Sri lanka
- Terre des Hommes draws the attention of the United Nations to the human rights of trafficked children
- The Hague Global Child Labour Conference
- For a reinforcement of children’s rights
Working children
13 year old Nandini, seen in the picture above, never went to school. She works as a weaver to supplement her family's income. Thanks to local project partner Society for Human Education (SHE) Nandini attends non formal education classes for out-of-school children. Non formal education provides working children the opportunity to study at a convenient place, pace and time. Nandini is studying for her 10th standard diploma.
Integrated & Sustainable Development in Slums
Project code
: IN-036D
Project period:
01/07/2009 to 30/06/2012
| Programme | Socio-Economic Development | Funds needed | €0.00 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Country | India | People supported directly | 11996 |
| Project location | Chennai | People supported indirectly | 6234 |
Thousands of people leave their rural villages every year in search of a better life in Chennai. These migrants end up living in the slums of the city. A little more than one fourth of the population in Chennai lives in these slums. Living conditions are poor, families live in open spaces or makeshift shelters, there is lack of clean water, hygienic sanitation facilities and electricity. This results in poor health, lack of education and job opportunities. Most migrant labourers are employed in the informal sector, where the lack of regulations increases their vulnerability. Because there are no crèche facilities, children often accompany their families to the workplace where they are exposed to health hazards and deprived of education.
Children in the slums live in extremely difficult circumstances. They often lack basic needs such as healthy food, clothes and medical care. Many children, especially girls, are not sent to school. Parents are not even aware of the importance of a school education for their children's future. For others, it is a matter of affordability. Children from poor families have to work and earn for their family's survival and consequently miss out on being able to develop their talents.
To work towards integrated and sustainable development in the slums BSSG focuses on improving the living conditions in the slums. The project includes early learning centres, supplementary tuition centres, monitoring the health status of children and their mothers with the support of community health workers and improving the socio-economic situation through organising women, men and youth into saving and credit groups. The project provides nutritious food for children with anaemia, better child care practices, access to government health care schemes, immunisation and support in tapping the existing government schemes.