CRY America supported project Gram Swaraj Sangh (GSS) in Gujarat, India

Invisible ‘Wands’ (Hamlets). Nowhere Nomads. Neglected Children.

Far away from the cities and well inside the Rann of Kutch are 195 tiny ‘Wands’ or Hamlets formed by nomadic tribes with a cluster of 20 to 80 families. ‘Wand’, is randomly formed around a patch of babool trees - they are geographically distant and perhaps, socially too.

Distanced due to their caste, these hamlets are not part of any village. Without a legal identity, they stay out of the ambit of government sponsored development programs. Even the basics are hard to come by.

People, especially women, walk miles for water. It doesn’t rain much either and the water tanker supplies are few and far between.

There are 8 Primary healthcare centers (PHC) covering 120 ‘wands’. But these ‘wands’ are on an average 20 Km away from its nearest PHC and hence mostly empty.

87%* of the hamlets don’t have electricity.

40%* of the community don’t have ration cards. 86%* of the poor don’t have Below Poverty Line Cards which disqualifies them from using the Fair Price Shops.

*Data for 120 vands covered by GSS

Patels, Darbars, Gadvis, Ahirs, Dalits, Rabaris, Rajput, Kolis, Bhils, Parakara Kolis, Vagharis, and Muslims form the community tapestry.

Patels, Gadvis, Ahirs, Darbars form the upper castes, engage in farming and own most of the land. Rabaris graze and rear cattle.

Dalits have small land holdings, and work for daily wages as marginal labor. Kolis break their backs making coal for a living, while a few of them have ventured into collective farming.

But the people with small farms or no land barely make ends meet.

Wagad (meaning rocky & windy weather) has seen 6 droughts, 2 cyclones, 2 flash floods in the last decade and a deadly earthquake in January 2001.

Distress Migration is often the only alternative.

The biggest casualties in these areas are the children.

High Mortality Rates

145 infants to every 1000 as compared to the average of 62 for Gujarat state.

Poor immunization coverage

Only 47% of the children in the area are immunized.

Poor Child Sex Ratio As low as 844 girls to 1000 boys in the area as compared to the national numbers 927 girls to 1000 boys.

Poor access to Education

Half the children don’t go to school. Of the ones who do, only half go regularly.

Lack of Transportation

With no state transport available, long distances (at least 12 Kms) keep teenage girls away from school. Private transportation is too expensive.

Pushed into Child Labor

Far away schools, poor infrastructure and poverty pushes them to become Child Labor.

• Addressing children’s issues manifested by lack of education, healthcare, child labor, discrimination and abuse.

• Transforming underprivileged communities affected by issues of livelihood, governance, landlessness and discrimination to become self-reliant and strive for dignity.

• Ensuring access to and improved quality of Government programs and services in the area for underprivileged children and communities.

• Partner with local NGOs to effect this change.

What CRY America Does

Funding & Capacity Building for local NGO partners like Gram Swaraj Sangh (GSS) Chalk out program & budget details that tackle the root of problem & ensure change in the lives of children & communities Oversee & review ongoing progress to measure efficacy & impact Organize need based Trainings for grassroots workers & project staff

• From landless to landowners.

• Beating the system with coal coalition and right to work.

• Asking for identity and access to government programs and schemes.

Bhoomi Adhikar Manch (Land Rights platform)

404 acres of land reclaimed and shared collectively by the landless. 200 acres used for cultivating Jowar & Bajra through collective farming.

The Power of Women

Getting the women involved in community action is key to the success of initiatives – they ensure the rights of their families and support their girl children to receive education.

• To build hope and conviction in ‘Rights’ based change.

• Building leadership from the community.

• Health, Hygiene, Schooling to aid permanent change.

• Electricity, Water and ‘Ration’ for a basic quality of Life.

Nurturing Community Leadership 78 community based groups initiated to discuss and ensure solutions for their issues.

Improved Health & Medical Facilities 12 primary health centers have been activated & are fully functional resulting in 30% increase in birth registrations, regular immunization drives, regular doctor visits & regular health check-ups.

• Teaching Children to recognise their Rights.

• Helping them express and communicate their awareness.

• Ensuring access to and quality education for all children.

Better Educational Facilities ‘Anganwadis’ and ‘Balwadis’ made more accessible covering ‘vands’ across distances. 32 ICDS and activity centers activated

Better Educational Facilities Formal government schools activated with better facilities 53% children now attend formal schools

Children’s Expressions Bal Jagat – A newsletter for children, by children

Helping children find their voice Children’s Groups (Bal Sangathans) – teaching children about their rights, building self confidence & helping them reach their full potential

Will these nomads find their place in the sun?

You decide.

Do What’s Right.

For more information or feedback, contact [email protected]

or visit www.america.cry.org

Photos Courtesy: Kaushal & CRY Project GSS