SPECIAL SCHOOL FOR CHILD LABOURERS

New Life through its ‘Child Laborers’ Schools’ project operates special schools for children engaged as laborers in agriculture, mat weaving, waste paper collection, food processing, and other industrial activities. Children enrolled in these schools are motivated to learn, and, after a year or two, based on their capabilities to interact with other children, they are admitted into regular schools.

The first special school under this project was started in 1999 in the Manamedu village of Musiri Taluk. Its students comprised mainly of child laborers engaged in the weaving, gem cutting and match industries. By August 2012 the project had benefited a total of 1516 children, out of which 878 children had been mainstreamed and admitted to regular schools.

At present, the program is benefiting 278 children through six special schools situated in Arangoor, Musiri, Alamarathupatti, Kodiampalapalayam, Ariyamangalam and Kaja Pettai. 85 children have been admitted to regular schools in the current year.

Besides formal education, students are also given vocational training in tailoring, crafts, etc. They are also given opportunities to engage in activities such as yoga, music and dance. Nutritious meals are also provided to these children daily and every month, Rs.100/child is deposited in each child’s account to increase his/her family’s total earnings.

The ‘Child Laborers’ Schools’ project is supported by contributions from people like you. Help us reach out to more children! To donate, please, visit :

<http://www.newlifemfi.org/ financial_contribution.php>