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Dalit Education Sponsorship |
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The Dalit Bahujan people of India
The Dalits are discriminated against by the powerful minority upper castes. As a result of this discrimination, Dalits suffer socially and economically. Uneducated and carrying the stigma of "untouchability", Dalits are forced to take low-paid jobs which provide inadequate income. Many cannot afford food, clothing, shelter, medical care, or even an education for their children. Despite India's recent economic success the majority of Dalits live on less than one dollar per day. Many have no access to clean water and their women and children are regularly subjected to all forms of abuse. The reality is that India's Dalits are shackled to a social and religious system that effectively removes personal freedom and opportunity. A Historic Invitation: Education for Dalit Children After centuries of this caste-based oppression, India's Dalits recently took drastic strides toward social and political freedom. At a historic meeting representatives from the Christian community were asked by Dalit leaders to help them in their struggle for freedom. When asked what form this help should take, Dalit leaders requested one thing?that their children be given an English-based education which included a worldview based on human worth, freedom and dignity. Dalit leaders had concluded that the best way to change lives, achieve measurable results in their community, and escape their plight of oppression was through education. They wanted education that serves the whole person and includes community development.
RED International's Indian partner, Operation Mercy India Foundation (OMIF) has taken a lead in seeing this commitment become a reality. Its leaders have enthusiastically accepted this invitation, pledging their solidarity with the Dalits. Changed Lives through Dalit Education Centres Children are supplied with uniforms, meals and books. At present over 20,000 Dalit children attend the schools and are receiving a high quality English medium education.
Schools usually start with two kindergarten classes who initially share a classroom, LKG (3-4yrs) and UKG (4-5 yrs), and one 1st standard class (5-6 yrs). Each year these classes advance and up to 50 new children join at Kindergarten level. In this way the school gradually expands. At full capacity, each Centre will provide primary education for 300-500 children.
Children receive education regardless of caste, creed or faith. The Dalit children receive preference for enrolment because the distribution of children in each school reflects the heavily Dalit-dominated communities in which these Centres exist.
Community Involvement Makes This Programme Unique The DEC programme stands out from other school projects because of its unique relationship with local and national Dalit leaders. Each school is placed in a location suggested by Dalit leaders to ensure the full cooperation of the community at the local level. The local Dalit community helps OMIF acquire land for permanent school buildings. This personal involvement by the local people is the only way in which this programme produces a lasting impact creating real life change. The centres also run vocational training and economic empowerment programmes which are designed to help the Dalit Community gradually develop to do more to sustain the school. Women's Self Help Groups are able to access loans from local banks. This enables small groups of Dalit Women run their own Micro Finance schemes to set up small businesses and income generating projects. Education Sponsorship Programme There are two ways to sponsor the education of a Dalit Child with RED International through Direct Debit or a Give As You Earn Scheme. To find out more about these options click the links below:-Sponsorship though Direct Debit Sponsorship though Give as You Earn |
