Background

The Navin Desai residential school was set up in 2007 to provide education for the children of migrant workers and other disadvantaged children living in villages near Nagpur. The school comes under the administration of Amrapali Utkarsh Sangh Charitable Trust which runs other projects in the area also. One of its most well-known projects is the Vimalashram Gharkul home for the children of commercial sex workers. This children home was established in 1980 by social worker, Ram Ingole, and other local citizens who were concerned that children of sex workers face a life in prostitution like their parents unless alternatives can be found. The home has helped many children over the years to find a new path in life: many former residents have gone on to lead productive adult lives, with some pursuing college education and professional careers.

First steps – Setting Up a Day School

In 2000 Ram Ingole identified the need to set up a school for the children of migrant workers. During a visit to a settlement of migrant laborers working in stone quarries in the Panchgaon area, 16 miles from Nagpur, he became aware that migrant children live in abject poverty without any access to education. With the help and support of local people, he set up a small day school to provide basic education for these children. The school provided teaching in the fundamentals such as language, arithmetic, hygiene, knitting, sewing etc. The school also provided one meal a day as these children rarely had enough to eat.

During this phase, it became noticeable that the children often had to stop attending school when their parents migrated back to their villages for agricultural work or social commitments. There was evidently a need for a free residential school where children could stay and continue their education even if their parents had to go away for a period. Aside from children of migrant workers, it became clear that such a school would also benefit other disadvantaged communities in the locality. The idea of a residential school was thus born but could not be implemented for some time due to lack of resources.

Establishment of a Residential School

Then in 2004, the promise of funding became a reality following a visit by Navin Desai, a visitor from the USA, who was so impressed by the work he saw that he agreed to donate the money needed to start the free residential school. Very sadly, Navin Desai died shortly after his visit and was unable to see the results of his donation. His friends, mostly Americans, nevertheless honored his promise and set up Navin Desai Memorial Fund from which US$51,000 was transferred to Amrapali Utkarsh Sangh for the setting up of the school.

These funds were used to purchase 5.5 acres of land near the stone quarries where migrant labourers live and work. The foundation stone of the school was laid on 12 October 2005 and construction of the first phase of school and hostel building ensued and was completed in May-2007. The first batch of pupils was selected following an assessment survey of 104 mines and surrounding areas. They started school on 15 July 2007. These 46 students have progressed to the second year. The second batch of 50 students has also joined in July 2008. In addition there are 34 students of higher class who have been provided free boarding and lodging at this School with arrangement to receive free education in another school. The school has received recognition to provide education up to fourth standard under Mahatma Fule Education Assurance Scheme.

Continuing Support

This school is one of the first in India to provide free board, lodging and education to the children of migrant workers, normally a forgotten and neglected group. The school aims to give new opportunities and life chances to children from very marginalized communities who are currently living in extreme deprivation.  Access to education can help lift the next generation out of poverty and stop the cycle of destitution.

The generosity of Navin Desai enabled the school to be established and through the support of other kind donors, activities have continued to date. The school is extremely grateful to the following donors who have made this work possible: Navin Desai Memorial Fund; Smile Foundation; Mumbai Group of Friends; Stitching Mitra, Netherlands; Arpan Foundation, USA; Shri Dorabjee Tata Trust.

The project aims to achieve some degree of sustainability through income generation and agricultural activities like cattle farming. However, the support of donors will continue to be necessary in order to continue providing quality education and to maintain the infrastructure.  To learn how you can help, please visit our Donations page.