Umeed Child Development Center, Gurugram

In October 2024, the non-formal educational project known as ‘Umeed’ got underway in New Colony, Gurugram. It is in the premises of Our Lady of Fatima Convent Junior School, where the school authorities have allotted 3 rooms for conducting the NFE in the evening. The project is carried out in collaboration with Clarist Franciscan Missionaries Sisters (CFMSS) under the coordination of Sr. Vineetha George.

Here, we assist 101 kids with their schooling and overall growth. The youngsters made satisfactory improvement in their understanding of alphabets, hygiene and sanitation, regular attendance at school, self-confidence, culture, behavior, and discipline as a result of their education. We highly appreciate Mr. Anto’s support of this endeavor.

To determine the people’s educational needs, we have carried out a door-to-door survey in neighboring communities. We found that many children between the ages of five and sixteen are either dropouts or do not attend school. The children are also compelled to go and make some money by laboring or begging because of their difficult financial circumstances. Children keep wandering the area as their parents leave for their daily wages. The parents were motivated to send their kids to school. The prevalence of health and hygiene issues necessitated raising awareness. Accordingly, we organized awareness campaigns for them.

These families and children hail from other nearby states or Nepal. They lack enough money to rent a suitable home. Either the whole family lives in a room, or some members of the family reside by the side of the road. The majority of parents are illiterate, and counselling was provided to the parents and the children. 

Besides classes, other indoor and outdoor activities and classes on drawing, singing, and physical education were also promoted.  The winners of the activities were awarded by the Sisters.

A Success Story: Bhanu, a special child who regularly attended the class but struggled to hold the pencil correctly, is now able to do so and write.  The parents are interested in sending the child to the NFE center.  The child used to roam about and make noise in the class and was unable to sit still.  Now the child is disciplined, pays attention to the teacher, participates in programs, and is enabled to face the people with a smile.