Educational and Vocational Centres in Haryana
Sankalp opened three centres, 2 in the Uklana village and 1 in Parbhu wala village in the Hissar district of the State of Haryana. These centres mainly catered to the rag- picking children and working children. These centres were opened to provide basic literacy skills to rag- picking children from 6-11 years of age, to give vocational training to girls from 11-14 years of age, to build awareness in the community on the need and potential of educating children and to increase school- community linkages. Besides, mid-day meal was also provided to these children. The coverage through this project was 102 children for education and 75 girls through vocational training.
Construction of Girls’ Toilets
Sankalp’s main purpose is to help the girl child. Many girl children in the elementary level in India drop out because the school does not provide them a gender sensitive, child friendly and an inclusive stimulating environment. Only 55% of the schools in India have girl’s toilet, and out of these, 30% are not functional due to lack of water, which leads to drop out among girls. Hence, Sankalp Society undertook the initiative to construct girls toilets in schools and provide them adequate water supply with the objectives of increasing the enrollment of girl child; enhancing the retention of the girl child; helping the girl child to complete the education cycle and to build awareness in the community on the need and importance of educating the girl child. The number of girls enrolled in these schools is 807. Interactions were also held with the parents of the children enrolled as well as community. The community came forward to offer it’s support and showed willingness in maintaining the toilets.
Provision of Sewing Machines
In pursuance with the goal of reaching out to the girl child, Sankalp provided sewing machines to 4 Government schools in Delhi.
The aim was impart to girls skill training. Interactions held with the school authorities revealed their willingness in maintenance of machines.
The girls are taught sewing as a part of their curriculum where a specified period is allotted for this. The school has vocational instructors. 1194 girls were covered through this initiative.
Laptops to Visually Challenged Children
Another project taken up by Sankalp was giving laptops to visually impaired children in National Association of the Blind (NAB), Delhi and Samarhanam Trust of the Disabled. Both these organizations work for the education and skill development of persons with disabilities. NAB was established in 1986 whereas Samarthanam was established in 1997. As a part of their Skill development Programme, Sankalp gave computers to be used to impart basic computer training to young adults with visual impairment. 20 visually impaired children are being covered through this initiative.