OKHLA
In 2003, Sophiya, one of our senior most staff, told us about the plight of children in the area where she lived. Okhla is a suburban colony in South Delhi more commonly known as Okhla Industrial Area. The ‘area’ is a mix of factories and slum tenements that are tucked away in-between the factories.
At that time, over 90% of children in the area did not attend school and were either roaming the streets or used by local mafias to steal and push drugs
The Okhla education centre began its activities in 2004 to address the problems of this extremely vulnerable group of children. Space was not easy to find and the only option was an empty spot near a garbage dump. It was ‘reclaimed’ and classes began under a plastic sheet held by bamboo poles. It took a while for the community to realise the worth of our intervention but they did and we could carry on unhindered.
Okhla is by far one of main the success stories of Project Why.
PRIMARY PROJECT
NUMBER OF CHILDREN: 121
Boys 64 ; Girls 57
The Okhla primary centre was started with a bunch of eager children who were very excited to have their ‘own’ space and helped set it up. Many were not in school but soon with the help of their dedicated teachers were able to be mainstreamed. Over 150 children now study in the primary section of the centre where they not only learn academics but a host of creative and other activities.
SECONDARY PROJECT
NUMBER OF CHILDREN: 205
Boys 95 ; girls 110
The Okhla Centre began as a primary outreach programme but as the first batch of children reached class VI they urged us to begin a secondary section. We did as we were aware of the need and knew that without support many children were likely to drop out. Today the centre runs classes upto class XII. Many of our students have graduated and gone to pursue higher education and joined the job market thus breaking the cycle of poverty in which they were born.
COMPUTER PROJECT
NUMBER OF STUDENTS 52
boys 24 ; girls 28
The Okhla computer centre was started on the demand of the children with one laptop! On the insistence of the children and with the help of friends we were able to create a space for a proper computer centre for the children and it is undoubtedly their favourite place as it is the only computer centre in the area. Children are taught basic and advanced computer skills as well as hardware and repair.