Given the unstable and often violent backgrounds our children come from and their parents’ fluctuating incomes, it is imperative for Parikrma to address issues that a child faces at home to prevent them from hampering a child’s development.
Our Community Development Services (CDS) are the custodians of this aspect of the Parikrma Model. The CDS team, comprising social workers with robust grassroots experience, is the backbone of our operations. They have built strong relationships with families and often serve as the first point of contact. CDS workers act as a conduit between the school and the family, consistently collaborating with teachers to address issues stemming from the community.
What began as a modest initiative has blossomed into a remarkably successful program, creating an ecosystem that sustains entire communities. From promoting SDGs, fostering livelihoods, employment, and women’s empowerment to instigating positive social change, the impact is tangible. Today, even children from families previously deemed ‘unbankable’ have the opportunity to choose a better life.
Activities that figure routinely on the CDS calendar are:
– Health checkups: Yearly general checkups, dental screening and interventions, eye testing, immunization, blood grouping, de-worming and administering multivitamin supplements.
– Adult literacy programs in the mothers’ local language.
– Skill development programs for mothers include housekeeping, tailoring, and English coaching classes.
– Counselling for domestic violence, alcoholism, and health issues.
Over 75% of households have seen a rise in their incomes, granting them the power to choose a better life. They have discovered a path out of poverty through increased income generation, challenging old customs with improved family planning and marriage choices. They are actively engaged in social issues and are rethinking superstitions, abuse, and many other aspects. The change is palpable—real and significant.
The image below gives a summary of programs conducted as a part of CDS:
