gujarat jan jagran sangh - gjjs

A Journey of ChangeGujarat Jan Jagran Sangh (GJJS)

Barda Sanctuary, Porbandar (Gujarat)

Just 15 kms from Porbandar, in the Barda Sanctuary area, live a pastoral tribe called the Maldharis.

Barda Sanctuary area

They live in settlements called “nesses” and most often have no electricity or running water.

When the Barda area was declared a sanctuary, the Maldharis were left without proper rehabilitation.

Their lives were devoid of basic rights, and living conditions, deplorable.

They could no longer rearcattle in the forest.

But moving out of the jungle meant losing their only source of livelihood.

“Even though we don’t have any facilities here, at least we can graze our cattle. If we move outside, how will we survive.”

- Laxmi Ben, aged 75 years

Most Maldhari children spend their time helping parents, grazing livestock and playing rather than going to school.

The adults feel their children make good helping hands. There is almost 100% incidence of child labour and 50% child marriage.

Basic supplies are hard to come by. The nearest Public Distribution System centre is 5 kms away, accessible only to those with ration cards.

Almost everyday, the Maldharis have to walk through rough terrain to sell their produce or get daily needs.

They sometimes have to walk 1.5 kms to fetch drinking water or drink from puddles and dug wells, which often cause illness.

Even basic health care is a strenuous walk away. Camels are used to reach the nearest Public Health Centre (PHC) and in severe cases, a cot is carried by four people to transport patients.

Introducing changeLandlessness and a lack of livelihood are the main causes for severe

deprivation of rights. Over the years, this has made the Maldharis

incapable of voicing their opinions and rebuilding their lives.

CRY joined hands with GJJS (Gujarat Jan Jagran Sangh) — a local

NGO operating in the area, to introduce change and help the

Maldharis become self-reliant.

Identifying the project area

Identifying a locally operating NGO – GJJS

Providing funding and resources to GJJS

Chalking out a definite program to tackle the root causes of

the problems that affect the Maldharis

Training GJJS project staff and volunteers

Overseeing and reviewing the progress to measure efficacy

CRY’s Role

Since 2008, CRY in partnership with GJJS, has

addressed the many causes that affect children and

their rights, bringing about significant change.

The first step was to bring the Maldharis together through community meetings and make them aware about rights.

There has been 100% registration of births in 10 nesses, and 155 enrollments for the Integrated Child Development Scheme.

All 500 people living within the Bandna Ness have been issued Caste Cards which entitle them to subsidies, loans, health care and scholarships.

“We did not have access to schools when we lived in the forest. But now, we want to educate our children.”

- Raghav Bhai, aged 59 years

There has been a significant change in the mind set of the Maldharis too. Lakhu Ben wants to educate her children to give them a better future.

Free from child labour, children now go to non-formal education centres and schools.

Baghi Ben stopped working three years ago to study instead. She loves school and aspires to be a teacher someday.

Bal Sanghaks (children’s groups) hold regular gatherings that bring children together to play, make music, discuss problems, and go on educational tours too.

15 year old Bal Sanghak Leader, Bharat, monitors attendance and convinces parents to send their children to school.

Nirupa Ben has been teaching at Kapori Ness for the last 2 years. The school offers mid day meals, and hasn’t had a drop out in 2 years.

Better facilities have ensuredquality education for the children too.

A Public Health Centre (PHC) established in Bhileshwar caters to 15 nesses. It offers immunisation, vaccinations against polio and the deadly disease filaria.

It has 5 female health workers and a mobile team that reaches out to nesses that are not in the vicinity.

Milestones so far

Having acquired a basic national identity, the Maldharis are now aware of the benefits they are entitled to.

The tribe has begun to value education for children and there has been an increase in attendance at schools.

Better health care facilities for women and children have ensured overall health and wellness for all.

Since 2008, CRY and GJJS have helped the Maldharis in many ways.

“The impact that we have made in our area should be spread to Maldharis across the entire area. They are entitled to equal rights too.”

- CRY partner(GJJS)

At least 30 more schools as per the govt. general rule, apart from the 4 that exist

Mid day meals for all schools

Anganwadis (child and mother care centres)

Better roads and transportation facilities

Visiting doctors to all 64 villages

What lies aheadConsistent interventions have impacted 32 nesses around the periphery of the area. However, 32 more nesses that lie in the interior regions of the sanctuary need help. They require:

Several communities like the Maldharis, suffer conditions that force their children to live a life devoid of basic rights.Join us, and help them live, learn, play and grow to the fullest.

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CRY wishes to thank Kaushal Parikh for volunteering his time and services to shoot the GJJS project.

To know more visit www.cry.org or email us at webinfo@crymail.org