Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Agenzia Fides) – Piduguralla is a region in the State of Andhra Pradesh that is characterized by a high number of child workers who are badly paid, without security, adequate housing, health services, and education. They are mainly exploited in the quarries of lime. The NGO “Intervita” has chosen to intervene in 28 communities in the region to ensure the nursery and primary school enrollment for more than 5,100 children between ages 3 and 14 and offer 300 adolescents access to vocational training courses, as well as promoting awareness against exploitation of child labor. The project, involving over 19,000 people, in collaboration with the Italian NGO Mani Tese and the Indian NGO ASSIST, working in this field since 2001, wants to offer youth prospects for a better life through education that will enable them to free themselves from exploitation. Thanks to long-distance sponsorship programs promoted by Intervita, which provide financial support for children and the community for an extended time, access to four day centers (kindergarten) will be made available to 170 children between ages 3 and 5, who will later go to elementary schools. The training of 615 working children between ages 5 and 14 will take place in appropriate non-formal education centers. 250 children among the most needy will also be given a residential area, suitable for the growth and proper development. There will be a general enhancement of the educational infrastructures in the so-called anganwadis (pre-schools), elementary schools, and secondary schools, as well as the construction of water infrastructure. About 5,000 children will benefit from this school activity. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 21/4/2010)
