From Child Labour to College: Support Her Future

Rohan is 9 and lives in a village 20km from Sangamner. Rohan is in class 3 and his younger brother of 7 is in class 2. Rohan’s father is a farmer but rainfall here is now much more irregular, and so they face many hardships through not being able to produce enough.They come from a low-caste background so getting employment or finding other sources of income is difficult. 

Rohan and his brother were almost as if neglected in many ways, because their parents would be so busy. They were not bathing, in dirty clothes, with uncut nails and unkept hair.

He was selected for the School Health Volunteer Programme, that the may change his habits and encourage other children to do the same. He attended all the lessons abotu good health and personal hygiene. Continuous follow up by the social worker motivated Rohan to imporve his personal hygiene. 

He has now started wearing clean clothes, wears shoes, bathes and cuts his nails regularly. He encourages his friends to do the same at school. This position has brought Rohan a new self-confidence. He has introduced basic hygienic practices to his younger brother and family.  

Thank you for supporting this project and changing the lives and health of Rohan and all in his school and community. It means they will be healthier, less at risk from certain diseases, and more able to integrate into society without facing the stigma of looking 'poor' and 'low-caste'.

Your generosity is contributing to massive change for these individuals and the future of these villages.