YAMUNA
In early April 2015, Project WHY came to know of children who were living fairly close to Khadar centre. Children of agricultural workers who cultivate vegetables on tracts of land owned by landlords, they were invisible and never went to any mainstream government school.
The Yamuna Centre was set up in an abandoned cowshed and under tees on the banks of the river. The area is flood prone and is severely affected during monsoon.
Non Formal Education
When Project WHY stepped in Yamuna, none of the children had ever been to school. For them, irrespective of their age, school set up was Project WHY centre. Teachers had to start from level zero with them.
The children are being provided with age appropriate education with a view to mainstream them. The children are given an all-round education with proper assessment as well as a range of co-curricular activities. Many students could complete their school education through Open school system.
Over the years, Project WHY teachers could encourage the parents and managed to facilitate admission of 50-60% children in nearby government schools.
After School Education
Students who enrolled in formal government school still come back to the centre for after school support.
- 91 students are enrolled in the centre.
- ….. students completed 12th grade.
- 2 students are employed as teachers in khadar centre
Mid Day Meal
Many of these children had never eaten pulses or beans earlier as their meals consisted of vegetables that were left unsold. They all were undernourished.
A hot nutritious lunch is provided every day, since 2015, to the Yamuna children and staff by Azure Hospitality. The lunch is a always a mix of cereals, pulses, vegetables and very often complimented with sweets. Cottage cheese, soya are a regular feature.
Lunchtime at the Yamuna Centre is a divine experience. The way children clean and set up the place, wash their hands and plates, sit in order, patiently and quietly wait for the food to be served, senior girls take charge of serving food, children offer a prayer of gratitude, eat silently without wasting a morsel, calmly get up to wash their hands and plates, roll up the mats and clear up the space, is worth experiencing.
All our guests have had the experience of eating with children.