A Report on Vocational Training Pilot Programme For Mumbai Street Children Jointly Funded By People For Progress in India And Asha For Education For the year 1999-2000.

SUMMARY

As we started working with the street children on the issue of drug abuse and HIV/AIDS in the various pocket areas of Mumbai, we realized that just rehabilitation without vocational training would not sustain our programs. Vocational training has to be important component of the overall rehabilitation project for street children and homeless youth. Going through the history and pattern of street children, we observed that they need short-term training programs by which they can immediately get jobs. They also need overall support system after they finish their training by way of night shelter and food.

We started vocational training programme with screen-printing, which was very successful. The boys were very enthusiastic and they came for training with SUPPORT staff everyday in the evening at the training center. Another section of handicrafts was started for the boys who were not able join any of professional courses. They had problem of concentration, co-ordination so it was not possible for them to do the course, which requires precision, concentration etc.

We had certain difficulties and problems while conducting this training programme. We had very little co-operation from the Municipal Corporation regarding the place. When we wanted the place in a residential area some of the neighbors objected and we did not get the place for the training. We continue implement this programme and we are planning to expand it by taking help from the other NGOs. Overall it was very fruitful experience to go through with the staff and the target groups.

ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN

Screen Printing Training

The first batch of 25 youth and peer educators was enrolled in screen-printing training programme that was started in December 99. The whole training programme was for 45 days. All 25 obtained certificates.

The 2nd batch started in March 2000. Once again 25 children successfully completed training and obtained certificates. During the training sessions children were given inputs on work ethics coping with bum out, etc.

The 3rd batch started in May 2000. Total number of 30 children participated in this programme. Eighteen children have received certificates.

The outcome of 80 trained children is as follows.

Job	Screen Printing	16 boys
Job	Other NGOs	3 boys (follow-up, maintain)
Job	SUPPORT (peer educators)	8 (2 from pavement)
Job	Daily wages	1 boy
Home	Repatriation	7

 The boys working for screen-printing and with us are provided residential facility by SUPPORT. 20 boys on the way while they were working have lost confidence of dealing with day to day 

Problems so we will be taking them as a group again. 25 are back on the street and come to the day care centers regularly. They are provided with counseling help.

Handicrafts making

While interacting with the street children, we thought of doing only two training. One is to send them to school or for training like welding, carpentry and screen-printing. When we started interacting closely with them, we observed that there will be section of children due to their slight mental in capacity, they cannot do refine work.

Their concentration understanding level was very low. We had to give them something very simple but attractive and which will also give them substantial money to survive. This will help them to leave street and seek protective environment because if they are on the street, their chances of being sexually abused are high. So we started handicraft section where most of the things will be made out of waste materials. So the investment will be low.

Agarbatti Making

Agarbatti making was started with the women and adolescent girls from the pavement community (families living on the street) in Jan.2000. 45 women were trained to make agarbattis in the first batch. It was a 3 days training carried out with the women of Mahim, Matunga and Dadar. Total numbers of 22 women community were trained to make agarbattis. A group of 4 girls and 1 lady has shown interest to start a self-employment activity of making agarbatti. They were given loan to buy half the material required to start the production. The cost of the other half would be borne by the clients themselves. The agarbattis produced in the training sessions are being marketed by contacting offices, shops, etc. The sale of these agarbattis is on increase from Rs. 442.50 in Jan.200 Rs. 6691- in February 2000.

Night shelter

It is not enough to run a vocational training programme for the boys but we need to provide facilities of night shelter while they are doing their training programme and also when they take up jobs outside. This night facility is provided to those boys who have finished screen-printing programme and who are employed in printing press. The boys stay together, they all contribute for their food and SUPPORT provides them with free accommodation, railway pass with recreational activities.

Stipend

While they are in training, stipend is given to the kids to buy their evening meal. As they spend three hours in the training programme, they are missing out their evening earnings. So with this money at least they are relaxed and can concentrate on the training.

Camp

As the focus of the organization is the prevention of HIV/AIDS and drugs, we take these groups outside Mumbai and do the prevention programme on drug addiction and HIV/AIDS. This is combined with recreation and fun.

Home referrals

Wherever it is possible to send the boys back home after their training programme we to try to send them home. One of the staff accompanies them when they are going home. We provide them with financial help to start a small business.

Job

We look out for the job after they finish their training. We keep in touch with their employers through regular phone calls and visits.

Savings scheme

Joint account is opened of the boys with one of the staff. Most of their salaries go to the bank so that after a year they can be independent.

Visitors

Mr. Niranjan and Mrs. Shanta Benegal, representatives from PPI came and visited our organization. Shanmuga representative of ASHA Seattle also visited our organization. He was taken around all the centers where he interacted with the children and asked them about the programme.

Representatives of Swiss Air Staff Foundation also visited our handicraft section and very much appreciated what the children were doing.

GENERAL ACHIEVEMENTS

1. We were able to motivate totally handicapped child (without both the hands) to leave street life. He will be going to school in the month of June. He writes, eats and draws with his toes.
2. Sixteen older boys after completing their training in screen-printing started working. We will be supporting them for a year through night shelter.
3. Twenty-one children are rehabilitated back into their families from the rehabilitation center.
4. Some of the children when they participate outside, they get Merit Certificates.
5. Deputy Mayor of Mumbai who inaugurated third batch of our screen-printing appreciated our vocational training programme.
6. The marketing agencies wanted to buy the items made by the children through handicrafts training.

DIFFICULTIES FACED

Fire

As we are staying in a Municipal building, which is in a very bad state, it has not been repaired for years. The electrical wirings have also been partially destroyed. Due to this factor of short circuit there was a major fire in the rehabilitation center. Luckily, nobody was hurt and it was under control.

Water

In summer season, we face acute water shortage. At times, children do not take bath for two days.

We have to fetch limited water from the well nearby.

Space

 As ours is a rehabilitating programme, we need big space to occupy them. As the number of children increases, we find it very difficult to take them due to space constraints.

We wanted to start a training center in a different locality but the neighbours objected to starting a center for street children. Mumbai Municipal Corporation has agreed to give us the place but we have not got it so far.

Finance

Working with children is a very expensive programme, as children cannot contribute financially.

So we have to provide from food to education material for many years till they are old enough to earn. Food is the most expensive in this entire programme.

Split

At times children find it difficult to cope with the working condition like a normal person. Sometimes they run away and get back to the streets. We make lot of effort to get them back and help them with counseling and resettling back into the job and the night shelter.

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