South Kolkata Hamari Muskan

Empowers vulnerable individuals in the red light district through essential amenities, education, and mental health support

  • Bronze Certified 2023
  • FCRA
  • 80G
  • 12A
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About

  • Headquarters

    Kolkata, West Bengal

  • Since

    2009

South Kolkata Hamari Muskan (SKHM) is the brainchild of Srabani Sarkar Neogi, a dedicated social development worker with over three decades of experie Read morence working alongside women trapped in prostitution and youth growing up amidst the red light district and near railway stations, including street children. Its core mission is to create secure havens for these vulnerable individuals, offering essential amenities like clean, attached bathrooms and potable water. It provides mental health interventions, empowering these stakeholders to resist risky professions. It focuses on education, skill-based training, and psychosocial support, instilling resilience and hope. Operating within the heart of the red light district, it aims to nurture a generation that demands a better life for themselves and future generations. It operates under four programmes: Pampers, Nurture, Breakthrough, and Dignity, managing six SAFE centres in densely populated red-light areas, where education, skill development, and emotional healing converge to foster a brighter future. Founded in 2010, SKHM has grown to serve over 210 students today.

Demographies Served

Impact

Since its inception in November 2009, South Kolkata Hamari Muskan (SKHM) has expanded its impact significantly, reaching approximately 255 children in Bowbazar and Shonagachhi, while also providing therapeutic counselling, vocational training, and alternative livelihood support to 30 mothers, 30 fathers, and 60 youths in the Bowbazar area. Additionally, SKHM has successfully integrated 195 children into mainstream schools and identified 11 extremely vulnerable children, facilitating their referral to residential schools.

Programs

  • Project Pamper – 0-8 years (Early Childhood Care & Education)

    In a child's first eight critical years, SKHM's Safe Centre provides a nurturing environment for rapid cognitive development. This sanctuary supports rest, learning, relaxation, and nourishment.

    During the formative first three years, SKHM guides parents in shaping their child's identity through the Mothers' Group, led by Mental Health Counselor Jolly Laha. Play and Art-based Therapy aids in identifying abuse, reducing anxiety, and fostering self-expression and confidence. Early education reinforces shape, colour, numbers, and English skills. Nutrition includes three meals and an evening health drink. Age-appropriate arts, music, dance, and storytelling enrich children's growth.

  • Project Nurture – 8-18 years

    Play and Art-based Therapy, led by Mental Health Counsellor Suparna Rudra, begins at age 11, fostering confidential discussions led by children. Art therapy workshops persist during breaks, while play therapy concludes around age 11. SKHM readies children aged 6+ for mainstream schooling, aiding the shift from informal to Government schools, facilitating paperwork, admissions, and academic support. Consistent teacher follow-ups ensure progress, with mothers' participation encouraged through the aligned Mothers' Group. The education programme includes digital literacy and Spoken English classes. SKHM's nutrition plan offers three meals, energy drinks, and periodic pediatric check-ups for physical health. Extracurriculars comprise karate, drama, creative writing, photography, music, dance, fine arts, cricket, and football coaching at dedicated academies.

  • Project Dignity: 18 – 45 years (exclusively for women)

    Mothers, as household leaders, wield significant influence within families, particularly in safeguarding their children's welfare. In 2010, SKHM initiated the Mothers' Group Programme as a core component of its strategy to rehabilitate children and women involved in prostitution. The primary aim was to train women from red-light areas in alternative livelihoods and support those seeking to escape harmful professions. Under the guidance of mental health professionals, these women met bi-monthly to converse, relax, acquire new skills, and form a support network. This evolved into Project Dignity, offering mental health support, occupational training, hobby classes, document management, financial literacy, health initiatives, outreach, education options, and recreational activities.

  • Project Breakthrough: 18 – 25 years

    Often, youths raised in red-light areas, having endured childhood abuse, perpetuate a cycle of violence. SKHM's mission is to disrupt this cycle through education and psychological support. Project Breakthrough, established in 2014, focuses on psychosocial interventions, including mandatory counselling, art-based therapy, and a dedicated de-addiction programme for youth. Vocational training encompasses cooking, jewellery making, driving, computers, and Spoken English. Encouraging identity documentation and financial literacy fosters responsibility. Outreach efforts, literacy classes, NIOS enrollment, and college support offer pathways to better lives for Breakthrough youths, emphasizing breaking the cycle of violence and achieving self-sufficiency.

Impact Metrics

  • Number of Children in Pampers Project

    Program Name

    Pampers Project

    Year-wise Metrics
    • 2020-21 30
    • 2021-22 26

Leadership Team

  • Saswati Majhi

    President

  • Srabani Sarkar Neogi

    Founder & Secretary

  • Jolly Laha

    Treasurer

  • Dr Nilanjana Sanyal

    Member, Governing Board

  • Rohini Banerjee

    Head - Programmes

  • Sonali Ghosh

M&E

  • Internal, External Assessors

    No

Policies

  • Ethics and Transparency Policies

    No

  • Formal CEO Oversight & Compensation Policy

    No

Political & Religious Declarations

  • On Affiliation if any

    No

  • On Deployment Bias if any

    No

Registration Details

  • PAN Card

    AAFAS1889R

  • Registration ID

    S/IL68619 of 2009-10

  • VO ID / Darpan ID

    WB/2017/0150310

  • 12A

    AAFAS1889RE20214

  • 80G

    AAFAS1889RF20214

  • FCRA

    147121006

  • CSR Registration Number

    Not Available

Location

  • Headquarters

    C-227 Survey Park, Santoshpur, Kolkata-75, 700075

    Directions

Other Details

  • Type & Sub Type

    Non-profit
    Society