Support Children of Migrant Labourers - Help provide Education & a Safe Space for Their Future

The Children of migrant construction workers face some of the harshest realities. They live in a dangerous environment – exposed to unsafe conditions with dust and debris. The childhood is marked by the instability of moving from one construction site to another, which denies them the stability they need to grow and thrive.

As if that weren’t enough, migration makes it impossible for these children to access formal education. Instead of going to schools, they are often pushed into the same cycle of labour as their parents, trapped in the same vicious cycle, with no way out.

This is Where Saath comes in. We provide the children of construction worker with a safe, nurturing, learning environment, parried with nutritious meals. Through these learning spaces, we prepare them for enrolment in formal schools, hoping to break the cycle of poverty.

Ravi’s Story: A Journey of Hope and Transformation

Ravi, an 11-year-old boy from Bihar, migrated with his family to Ahmedabad in search of work. Constant coughing, body aches, weakness, and lack of appetite were daily struggles for him. Like many children of migrant workers, Ravi faced significant challenges, including limited access to education and a stable environment. However, things began to change when he enrolled in Saath’s classes started at the construction site where his parents were working.

Ravi was enrolled in the bridge course at the classroom. The bridge course is designed to prepare children like Ravi for formal schooling, which they often never have the chance to experience. By sparking an interest in learning and bringing them up to the grade level they need, the course helps them break free from the cycle of poverty. Since joining, Ravi has shown remarkable improvement. His health has significantly improved—his cough and breathing issues have diminished, he eats well, and his energy levels are up throughout the day. Ravi’s story is not unique.

A Day in the Life at our Construction Site Classes

Each day at the class begins with a nutritious breakfast at 10 am, setting the tone for a day full of learning and growth. After breakfast, the children enjoy Storytime. For those who can read, they are given books to practice; for those who can’t, the stories are read aloud to them. The libraries are carefully curated based on age, language, and reading levels, ensuring there is something for everyone. For Ravi, reading has been instrumental in improving his proficiency in both Hindi and Gujarati.

Classes are tailored to each child’s skills and age, helping them catch up to the grade they would be placed in at a mainstream school. Ravi excels in mathematics, quickly grasping concepts like addition, subtraction, and multiplication, and practicing his tables daily. The use of tactile materials in teaching helps children like Ravi understand concepts better and faster.

Each academic session lasts 45 minutes, with a strong emphasis on science, math, and language. After the session, children enjoy a healthy lunch, followed by a short break where many visit their parents who return home for lunch. The afternoon session is filled with light, fun extracurricular activities like drawing, science experiments, games, dance, and poetry, offering children a chance to unwind and express themselves creatively.

The day concludes at 5 pm, after the children enjoy a heavy snack, leaving with full bellies and a sense of accomplishment, ready to return home after a fruitful day of learning and play. Through Saath’s program, Ravi and many other children are given the tools they need to break the cycle of poverty and access a brighter future.

Saath launched this program in 2008 and has since supported 10,000+ children across Gujarat and Rajasthan. Yet, many more children and families still need help. You can make a difference by supporting this cause, ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive in a safe environment and access a pathway for growth and exploration.