Indian challenges: ‘’Population is growing and work is declining‘’: such is India's major challenge.
These days, even after going to school, it's extremely difficult to find a career path. Trainings and studies are costly or selective (and corruption is rife), unemployment is high, especially among young people: in fact, 45% of youth in India were unemployed in December 2023, according to France Info.
For women in particular, the challenge is huge: in India, the employment rate for women is among the lowest on the planet... the female employment rate dropped from 32% to 19% between 2005 and 2020.... (Radio France).
Finally, more than three quarters of Indians are daily workers like street vendors, deliverymen, drivers and tea sellers: informal economy and jobs represent almost 80% of Indian economy (Le Monde, 2022).
Our responses: With our programs we want to restore the dignity of the disabled and the destitute.
Our “After 10” program is about financing studies or trainings of young adults from our homes, to council and support them until they have a sufficient job or a higher study. We want to encourage them to fulfil their dream. We organize every year a vocational forum with local opportunities and recently we are developing two new homes, especially for women, to study in secure environment.
We offer specific workshop jobs to the disabled people we can help like farm, batik, jute or orthosis workshop jobs. The idea is to make them self-dependent. In orthosis workshops, we are trying to meet the needs of our homes children and more.
AFTER 10
In our homes, children can stay until they pass the Madhyamik class X exam (our French Baccalaureate).
With After 10, we encourage every child leaving HSP to finish the last two years of high school while studying from their own houses.
Those who wish to pursue their studies can have their tuition costs covered.
The programme also supports destitute and orphan children who did not stay in our homes.
We have been supporting more than 70 children and young adults for their rehabilitation in the society: vocational training, nurse and teacher training, BA, MA...
AWARENESS PROGRAMMES
To empower the communities, we dispense awareness sessions both in the slums with our SMCS programme, and in our homes with the parents of the children.
We focus on basic health and hygiene measures, give insights on the daily child routine, on the food needed for proper development, on screen exposure and some actions for a proper emotional balance.
We also provide some knowledge and try to facilitate the access to the government schemes, mostly designed for girls.
WORKSHOPS
Batik workshop
Founded in 1978
3 staff
Located in Howrah, the workshop uses the traditionnal Batik dyeing technique to produce table clothes, bed sheets, Churidar tops, wall hangings, blouse piece, etc.
One piece alone can take up to one month to be ready, due to the different colour layers needed.
More than 200 pieces are produced per year.
Jute, candles and incense
Founded in 1982
7 women
In Maria Basti Home, Jalpaiguri, physically and / or mentally challenged women spend their whole life.
They work following their capabilities to produce objects from jute, they also make candles and incense items. The products of the sales helps them to provide for the home.
Knitting workshop
Founded in 2003
2 staff
Located in Howrah, the knitting workshop produces sweaters, mufflers, tops and other warm items, all in vibrant joyful colours.
The items are sold or serve the needs of the different homes.
Around a 100 items are produced every year.
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Orthopaedics
Founded in 1992
3 staff
Two workshops, one in Howrah and one in Jalpaiguri cater to the needs of the children from the various homes by producing ankle foot orthosis, gaiters, special chairs, splints, belts, surgical shoes, strap sandals, etc.
Each piece is designed for a specific child and their needs. Outdoor children can also benefit from the workshop.