Community Economic Development

Community economic development

Child Name: Minara Safikul Aalm
Program: NFE (School on Wheel Bus)
Age: 9
Gender: Female,
Location: Wadi bunder

Minara resides in Wadi Bunder No 12, railway yard of central railways of Indian government. Her father is a mason and mother is a house maid by profession. Minara’s house does not have an access to basic amenities as such electricity and water. She has a responsibility to look after her younger brother post departure of her parents from the house for their work. When Minara was introduced to our NFE- School on wheel bus program that runs on the Mumbai streets for the wearer’s section of the society, she was not able to read and recognize the alphabets even in her regional language and she was kind of reluctant to learn from Hindi medium as it was not her first language, but later she expressed her interest in learning Hindi Language post teachers’ intervention with her.

Initially, her attendance in the class was recorded satisfactory, but later it was observed miserable. Our teacher noticed the same and made a home visit to know the root cause of her irregularity in the classes. It was found that Minara has to perform all the domestic work as such cleaning, clothing and cooking as well along with her younger brother’s care at the age of just 9 years. Our field team made her parents aware on the importance of education and why Minara should avail it. Her parents were worries about her and her brother’s food as her mother was not able to give time to cooking in the morning as she has to rush for the work. In result to Minara had to take all the responsibilities on her shoulder in place of her mother. The large reason was food and cooking. Our team addressed this issue and share the details of our Mid-day meal program on bus, and how Minara can avail the benefits and can continue with her studies as well. Her parents were delighted to know on about the midday-meal intervention and started sending their both children to the classes regular.

The problem of Minara was easily identified and addressed, hence she is vey happy now and receiving quality meal on bus along with the quality educational service. Both her parents Thanks to Mid-day program for resolving their issues and bringing joy to ger Minara and her brother’s life.

Community Economic Development