Why SDF initiated this program?

In June 2007, SDF along with Uttar Pradesh Land Alliance organized a foot march on Land, Dignity and Freedom from Gughali (Maharajganj) to Chaurichaura (Gorakhpur).The aim was to aware the marginalized landless people about their right over land, resources and dignity. In one such day, the padyatra entered Malwabar, Nautan, Udainagar villages in Deoria dist, where Mushahars were living in abysmal conditions. As part of the program, a Fact Finding Team with local people was constituted and later the result showed there was lack of facilities which the Government was supposed to provide. So there was a need to work strongly in the area, to make the community aware of their rights, and realized that due to lack of basic education, the potential target of exploitation would soon be young children. Thus, SDF came up with the idea of “KOSHISH”.

Challenge

Challenge is to keep the children in the school. Due to poverty, children are forced to work as agricultural labourers to support the family. As they are landless community, it was pertinent to bring in the idea of empowering the women of the community economically. It is now supporting 10 Mushahar Women in Malwabar under the economic empowerment programme by MCKS Food for Hungry Foundation. This resulted in bringing many children back to school and their stayed. Such support have to be extended to other villagers to encourage an overall development of the children and their families.

Aim

The only thing SDF set –out to work towards is to create an environment for these children which is as good as any other child in the world. These children would be integrated to mainstream schooling of the government. Scholarships will be raised for girls and boys in case they pursue higher education. But those who are not too good in studies then road is not closed. SDF with help of some professionals has set-up a training centre in the village which is named as Prerna Kendra. The idea is to give children basic vocational training, so that they can earn better. Besides this, workshops will be conducted include training on leadership development, human rights education, eradication of superstition, etc. To create information centres, libraries in the area, which can then be managed by the children of this village. Not only to bring change but empowering them to become a true Human Being.