CINI Asha: the urban unit of CINI

In Kolkata thousands of young children are living under wretched conditions in the streets, railway stations, markets, slums and squatter colonies.

These vulnerable children are exposed to physical, economic or sexual exploitation.

They often do not go to school, do not have a good diet, safe or good health. The children are forced by criminal gangs to steal, drugsdealen, begging or prostitution.

CINI ASHA workers ensure this, first by preparing them for school through a "bridge course", by regular visits to children in school and to their families to monitor progress. The basic objective is to ensure elementary education and create a positive environment for these needy children.

The Educate a child programme of the urban unit of CINI, is an opportunity to change the lives of these children.
We need your support to continue this effort and reach out to more children to save them from deprivation and exploitation.

Mission:

CINI Asha's mission consist in improving the quality of life of the urban disadvantaged population and protecting the rights of the child through Education Health and Social Mobilization.

CINI ASHA concentrates its efforts on child education, health, the basic need for survival, protection, growth and development. It believes in participation and progress as provided for in the 'Convention of Rights of the Child'.

Presentation of CINI Asha

Target Population:

The primary beneficiaries of CINI ASHA programmes are:

Street children
Children living in slums and squatter colonies
Children of sex workers
Slum dwellers

Child protection strategies

1. Drop-in/night shelters:

This shelter is in the vicinity of the train stations of Kolkata. In this area many street life, it is very unsafe for the children.
There, CINI tries to offer them the minimum of security, by providing:

Experts say both evenings;
Medical aid;
Twice a day meals (breakfast and lunch);
Individual and group discussions;
Creative Activities;
Children prepare to visit the primary schools to go;
If possible, establish contacts with the parents.

2. Halfway houses

This is for children without parents, street children, children of sex workers, children with a parent and children with a very low socio-economic background. This is a shelter where the children permanently stay of 6 months to 1 year. They get training here (for them to prepare for the primary school), but also good food, medical assistance, individuele-en/of group and they can take part in creative Activities.
After this 6 months to 1 year, some return to their families and to a regular school. Those who have no family or are not able to return, go to a internat.

3. Non-Residential camp

This is for children who are not living on the streets but in their family. They work at a very young age in factories or in the household work for a very low wages and in poor conditions. They do not go to school.
They get in the non-residential camp, for about 1 year, training so that they then to the regular school. The parents are talking about the importance of proper training.

CINI Asha's principal donors

GOAL India who funds our residential services for girls, education programmes in the slums, health care for children, outreach, outreach work through a satellite point project and other services for deprived urban children.
ChildHope, also for some education and protection services.
Axis Bank Foundation - for a large programme on education in wards and municipalities.
Isle of Man - for educational services in redlight areas and for non-residential.