Navjagriti Collective works with almost 100 slum children near Nizamuddin railway station in Delhi, India- an area made infamous by the children who roam around salvaging trash to support their families and also children who have run away from their homes.

Ten years ago, Navjagriti approached a group of families whose children weren't in school because the parents had no money for school fees, or the children were sent out as ragpickers to make money for the family. For these reasons, the parents weren't interested in sending their kids to school. Navjagriti offered to cover all of the expenses involved and convinced the parents to send children to school instead. Navjagriti took up the initiative in the form of providing day-shelter and basic education. Children were further admitted to MCD Schools (government schools) for formal education.

In the last 5 years Navjagriti admitted 42 children in MCD Schools and the Project has grown over time and is currently sending over 100 children to school. A few runaway children live at the center full time, and we have reconnected them with their families, even if they remain estranged.

Coming from often perilous family lives, these children need a space away from the worries and tensions of the household, and for these children, that space is Nav Jagriti. Yes, it is a place for study, but we also try to provide an atmosphere where they can let loose and be children for at least a little while in-between school and home.

Read about some of the students whose life has been impacted by Navjagriti @ http://navjagriti.org/students/

With both Muslim and Hindu students, a Hindu staff, and foreign volunteers from all over the world, Nav Jagriti students are taught the value of diversity and religious tolerance.

The children of Navjagriti Collective are waiting eagerly for the lockdown to get over so that they can get back to school and return to the centre so that they can enjoy the company of their friends and the security and freedom that the centre offers them. But their future hangs in the balance as the funding provided to Navjagriti by the Asha for Education Organization (NYC/NJ) has come to an end due to the shutting down of the organization. Navjagriti is urgently in need of financial resources so that they can continue to provide for these 100 children and be able to keep its end of the bargain to ensure that these children stay in school.

So we are looking at you for help. Will you help us in ensuring that these 100 children stay in school and complete their education? Any contribution matters a lot to us. All we want to do is to continue to provide support to these students and keep them off the streets so that they can have a chance at a future. You can help!

You can help keep these children in school and give them a bright future!