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It was in 2005 that we began to
work with the state government of Madhya Pradesh. As in Rajasthan,
our main focus in this state is underprivileged children.
Several interventions for from our Child Rights portfolio are being deployed
here at different locations in the state. We are running an
action research project here called Project Bachpan at
Ratlam that is trying to get all the government service
providers for children's heath, education and nutrition to
converge and work together as opposed to running each of these
as separate interventions.
In the cities we are running the
Midday Meal
programme so children that come to government schools are guaranteed
one wholesome meal in a day.
From food, to food for thought, our
Ensuring Children Learn programme that
is underway in some of the most backward areas in the Chambal region (infamous
for its dacoit infestation) helps children in government schools make the
most of their schooling experience by enhancing their learning levels
in math, science and language.
Given that large sections of Madhya Pradesh still believe in marrying
off their girls early, and not continuing their education, the Nanhi Kali
- girl child support programme, is an essential intervention here that is
gradually convincing communities of the value of educating their daughters.
It provides essential material and academic support to girls and tracks
the progress in school along with proactively dissuading parents who exhibit
tendencies to take their daughters out of school. |