Build a Balwadi: A Preschool for Children Living in Urban Slums in India

I’m Megan Chopra, an 8th grader at Sidwell Friends School in Washington D.C. Through my trips to India, I’ve had the opportunity to visit the Swami Sivananda Memorial Institute (SSMI), a non-profit organization dedicated towards improving the livelihood of disadvantaged women and children in the slums of New Delhi, India. SSMI aims to break the cycle of poverty by empowering the disadvantaged through education, occupational training, and nutritional care. I am working with SSMI to build a Balwadi, a preschool for underprivileged children ages three to six, living in clusters in and around Madipur, New Delhi.

PROBLEM:

Children living urban slums in India lack access to high quality early childhood educational opportunities, a situation that can disadvantage the children for the rest of their lives. The Indian government has failed to provide children under the age of six with proper schooling as over 20 million children are still not attending any pre-school programs according to UNICEF. Additionally, recent studies show 56,000 children die every year in urban slums in India due to malnutrition and two thirds of deaths among children under 5 are attributed to undernutrition. Preschool programs possess the potential to not only provide educational opportunities, but also nutritional assistance such as requisite meals, sustenance, and health examinations. Early interventions can alter lifelong trajectories of the children’s development, cognitive abilities, and health. It is critical that we provide underprivileged children with the proper resources and support required to emerge from the cycle of poverty.

SOLUTION:

Swami Sivananda Memorial Institute is a non-for profit empowering underprivileged women and children to realize their full potential. We strive to build a Balwadi, a preschool for underprivileged children, from ages 3 to 6 living in clusters in and around Madipur, New Delhi. The Balwadi will be close to the homes of students and taught by young women who have graduated from school and have undergone a six month teacher training program. Students will engage in educational and recreational activities that include physical activity, math, language, etc. Moreover, students will receive fresh, warm meals and regular health checkups. The children will also be taught important hygiene and self care routines.

IMPACT:

By providing an early education to underprivileged children, the Balwadi will enable the students to develop a sound foundation for life and reach their potential. Furthermore, supplying an adequate and well balanced diet to the children will ensure their good health and development as well-nourished children are more likely to be productive and ready to learn. Without the help of the Balwadi, undernutrition will stunt intellect, reduce productivity and perpetuate poverty. Preschool education is critical in developing educational and cognitive skills which helps students later in life receive a higher education and graduate school with an employable skill.