Aakar

Program Overview

ISC has been working with the children of brick kiln workers in and around Pune for the past 40 years, to ensure the younger generation does not fall into the vicious cycle of exploitative work. Today, we have an outreach of more than 3,000 vulnerable children every year, working towards our vision of a society in which all children can enjoy their rights.

Key Features

Non Formal Education

Safe learning spaces created for children from marginalized sections
Aims to reduce dropouts and help vulnerable children continue learning
Right to protection, right to participation, right to play, and right to love and care upheld for children
Partnerships with ICDS centers, health care systems, and government agencies for COVID sensitization and awareness

Life skills initiative

Learning program called Jasa Mi Tashi Ti In English – As I am Like She is - a module to teach gender equality
Sensitivity trainings for boys to respect girls as equal counterparts
Programs and modules appreciated and adapted by UNICEF and other NGOs
IT skills imparted at all centres

Protection initiative

Aims at prevention of abuse, in sync with the national campaign against child labour
Creating safe spaces for students, especially girls, to prevent dropouts
Aimed at both girl students and male peers in family and school
Homes and schools made into safe spaces for girls

Our Locations

Aakar programs are aimed at children in the schools and community of the Yerwada slum pocket in Pune, as well as children at the brick kilns situated on the outskirts of the city.

Activities

Support classes in Maths and Marathi for 1st to 7th standard
15 support class centers for the 3-14 age group
Gender awareness program for upper primary classes, creating safe spaces. Learning program called Jasa Mi Tashi Ti In English – As I am Like She is - a module to teach gender equality
Mobile library to bring resources for learning closer to disadvantaged children
Interventions for nutritious food, health, and safety
Extracurricular activities like sports, life skills, and art to uphold the right to play and right to participation
Poster exhibitions on child rights, rallies for child safety, and campaigns against child labour.