Aasmaan
Goal: The project aims to ensure the basic rights of children involved, and empower women to participate in decision making within the family.
Committed Communities Development Trust along with the NGO Saathi had initiated a collaborative project, Aasmaan in October 2001 which works with the community living on the streets of Moreland Road, near Kamathipura. These families have migrated from Bihar where they own small pieces of land which do not provide them with a sufficient means of income; hence they have migrated to Mumbai. The community is rigid in its beliefs and is easily swayed by religious and political leaders who make false promises.
The families live in temporary structures which have been deemed illegal. They live under constant uncertainty, never knowing when they will lose their homes and shelter. Living on the pavements, the children, especially girls and women are the most
vulnerable groups. Most of the men are partially employed and the women are employed as domestic help in the nearby households. There is a
lack of education and health care in the families of the community.
Objectives:
- To ensure the rights of the child to survival, development, protection and participation are met to reduce the vulnerability so that they are able to access better options of life.
- To empower woman in the community to participate in decision making within the family.
- To build links with various institutions, government departments, etc, so that the community is able to fulfill its own needs.
- To prevent the exploitation of girls/children.
Activities:
- Hospital referrals
- Monthly growth monitoring
- Health camps
- Immunization camps
- Providing nutrition
- Health sessions
- Conducting preschool classes
- School enrollment
- Educational sponsorship
- Life Skills Education
- Picnics/Camps
- Referral to vocational training
- Working on issues of neglect, abuse and child labour.
- Providing psychosocial support
- Community meetings
- Parents’ meetings
- Sessions with women on empowerment
- Networking with hospitals, schools, etc.