In India, an estimated 18 million children live on the streets, with 11 million of them in urban areas. Those accustomed to street life often remain unenrolled in schools, and even if they initiate schooling, many drop out before reaching the eighth grade. This lack of education perpetuates the cycle of poverty, increasing the likelihood of these children ending up on the streets.

Operating in 12 community centers situated in slum areas in Kolkata and Howrah, we collaborate with local volunteers and authorities to forge a brighter future for children aged 6 to 14 living in these slums. Beyond providing support and healthcare for the children and their families, we conduct Joyful learning sessions to prepare them for formal education. After 6-12 months, they enter school, and we continue to offer social and academic support through tutoring and recreational activities. In 2022, a total of 490 students transitioned from our community centers to mainstream schooling.

In the same year, our tutoring project in small groups, facilitated by professional educators across all community centers, aimed to prevent children from dropping out of school, with a total enrollment of 464 students. Additionally, we offered computer training to 110 children and adolescents, enhancing their technological and communication skills to improve future educational and occupational prospects.

For sustainable development, we empower local forces, cultivating change agents and local club members. By establishing income-generating sources for local institutions, we motivate them to contribute to community development beyond our presence. This approach increases the likelihood of lasting modifications, as residents take ownership and accountability for uplifting and developing their community.

To dismantle the barriers surrounding menstruation, we launched an Adolescent Health Program engaging 800 adolescents. Our efforts aimed to reduce the social stigma associated with menstruation through various initiatives, including awareness campaigns, health camps, educational counseling, group meetings, and workshops.

In our commitment to ensuring privacy and hygiene for women and adolescents, we are actively constructing "Women-Friendly Toilets" in slum areas. These facilities include sanitary napkin vending machines and incinerators, providing a discreet and sanitary solution. The operation of these vending machines is sustained through community contributions.

In the year 2022, the community utilized a total of 16,044 sanitary napkins, emphasizing the positive impact and acceptance of these initiatives. This underscores our ongoing commitment to breaking down societal taboos related to menstruation and promoting women's health and well-being.

In 2022, an initiative aimed at raising awareness on safe sex, reducing the prevalence of early marriage and early pregnancy, and establishing a community resource pool on sexual health was launched. The program, titled "Decoding Sexual Health," reached 665 adolescent girls and 100 adolescent boys.