Children Education & Women Livelihood Program, Mendora (Bhopal)
The initiative in Mendora village, Bhopal, is a community-led program focused on strengthening foundational education for children while simultaneously building sustainable livelihood opportunities for women. The program is designed to address two interconnected needs at the grassroots level — consistent learning access for children and income-generating pathways for women — ensuring that development within the community is both inclusive and long-term.
In many rural settlements like Mendora, children often face gaps in foundational learning due to limited educational resources, irregular academic support, and lack of exposure beyond classroom teaching.
At the same time, women in these communities frequently have limited access to structured skill development opportunities, leading to economic dependency and restricted financial participation.
This program works directly within the village ecosystem to bridge these gaps through continuous engagement, practical learning models, and skill-based livelihood interventions.
Children’s Education & Learning Support
The education component of the program focuses not only on academic support but also on overall personality development and creative learning. Alongside foundational literacy and numeracy support, the program places strong emphasis on co-curricular exposure that helps children build confidence, communication skills, and self-expression.
Key interventions include:
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Regular educational support sessions for school-going children
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Foundational learning support in literacy, numeracy, and communication
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Parent awareness sessions to encourage consistent school attendance
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Community-based learning support to improve engagement and reduce drop-outs
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Creative learning activities designed to build curiosity and participation
Summer Camp & Co-curricular Development (Last 7 Years)
One of the most impactful aspects of the program has been the annual summer camp conducted consistently for the past 7 years, which has become a safe and creative space for children in the village.
The camp focuses on holistic personality development through:
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Dance and movement-based learning
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Theatre, drama, and storytelling activities
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Singing and music-based expression
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Art and craft workshops
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Personality development sessions focused on confidence building, communication, and teamwork
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Interactive games and group activities to encourage collaboration and leadership
For many children, this has been their first exposure to structured creative learning beyond school academics. The summer camp has helped children discover new interests, build confidence, and express themselves more freely in a supportive environment.
Women’s Livelihood & Skill Development
During the COVID-19 period, when livelihoods were severely disrupted and income sources became uncertain, the program also supported women in adapting to new forms of production and self-reliance.
Women were engaged in the production of essential and locally relevant handcrafted products, which provided them with an immediate source of income during a time of crisis. Alongside production support, efforts were made to build market linkages for these products, helping women not only earn during a difficult period but also understand basic concepts of production, demand, and selling.
This phase became an important turning point for many women, as it introduced the idea of home-based production as a sustainable livelihood model. It also helped establish early networks for product visibility and local market access, which continued to support women even beyond the crisis period.
Overall, this approach has supported women in becoming more financially independent while strengthening their role in household and community decision-making.
Community-led Approach
The program is deeply rooted in community participation, with all activities conducted within the village to ensure accessibility and continuity. Regular engagement with families and local stakeholders helps build trust and ensures that both education and livelihood interventions are sustained over time.
The integration of education, creativity, and livelihood creates a strong foundation for long-term community development.