Bengaluru: When Sheela arrived in Bengaluru along with her husband, she had little idea about the challenges of urban life and the future appeared bleak. The family’s immediate need was to find ways to earn money to keep hunger at bay.
While her child cried for attention, Sheela was busy unloading bricks. For many like Sheela, who have no trained skills and are vulnerable to abuses and accidents, the Good Neighbors India acts as saviour.
Though there is a construction boom in Bengaluru, but it brings little cheer for over 10 lakh migrant workers involved in this sector, observed Muniraju, general secretary of Good Neighbors India.
He said, “The unskilled labourers in construction sites and stone quarries are the most prone to all kinds of abuse, diseases and accidents. In order to address the needs of the migrant community in Bengaluru, Good Neighbors India came into existence. The NGO also works with ethnic tribes in Mudumalai (Tamil Nadu) and nomadic tribes in Rayachooty (Andhra Pradesh).”
As for the most common problems faced by the children belonging to this community, Muniraju said, “The migrant community at large lacks access to safe drinking water, sanitation and health care facilities, while children do not have access to proper schooling and healthy food. The youth do not get opportunities for higher education or training for job skills. The women suffer from poor health and usually first-time mothers are anaemic. They lack awareness on health issues and are economically dependent. Their problems often go unnoticed.”
To its credit, Good Neighbors India has so far been able to enroll over 800 children to government schools as part of its ‘Back to School’ campaign. In addition, 200 children are being given tuition after school hours, while many women are now pursuing adult education.
“Most importantly, many youths are receiving vocational training skills like using computers and learning tailoring in an attempt to build a better life for themselves. And interestingly, children, who are acquiring artistic skills through painting and pottery classes during summer camps, are highly enthusiastic about attending these sessions,” Muniraju said.
Elaborating further on the activities conducted at their centres, Muniraju, added, “We empower women by forming self help groups and by networking with the government education department. Providing safe
drinking water and sanitation facilities have been the most crucial help to
these women.”
Similarly, children at day care centres receive supplementary nutrition, mid-day meals and are educated through non-formal education. “In a further boost to educate the migrant children, we regularly organise ‘Child Parliament’ to create awareness among the children about their rights. They learn about their rights through debates, discussions and workshops,” he said.
Stressing that the NGO has five key focus areas, Muniraju said, “Our activities are implemented focusing on education, health, vocational training, water and sanitation facilities and youth skills. While the volunteers are working towards eradicating poverty among this community, they are also ensuring a safe environment is provided for vulnerable children and their families. In the long run, we want to adopt a holistic approach to make these vulnerable communities economically stable, while children get access to quality education.”
Summing up he said, “We will continuously work to reach out to expand our services to 3,000 children and ensure all the children are in school. Sustained efforts will also be put in to collaborate with government programmes.” Those interested to get in touch with the NGO or if interested to contribute, you can write to info@goodneighborsindia.org.
