Baby’s husband had no guarantee of work everyday and it became difficult to send her children to school. She started working as a domestic helper to boost the family income.

After hearing about the Women’s Group in her village, she soon became a member. With training and support, she started to save and was able to take out a small loan to buy essentials for her house.

After paying back the initial loan, she took out a bigger one and started a small grocery shop in her home. With the income from the shop, she’s almost paid back her loan and has left her domestic servant work. She’s also now able to send all her children to school.​

1. Schools are full of life

Rachel says, "We’ve been supporting nine Community schools for slum dwelling children in Cox’s Bazar for eight years now, and they are the best I’ve ever seen them. The children are absolutely full of life and energy".

​Catering for over 900 children in the slums of Cox’s Bazar, these schools have become model learning environments which have shaped our work an hour down the road in the Kutupalong camp, which leads us nicely to the next highlight…

​2. Colourful classrooms

​“The 150 classrooms we run in Kutupalong camp for Rohingya refugee children are now fully up and running, and extremely vibrant, colourful and creative. Children that have been through such trauma need a safe and happy place to come, where they are free to express themselves. This is certainly evident in these spaces that are filled top to toe with their artwork. After what they have witnessed and what they are going through, these children lack the confidence of their counterparts in Cox’s Bazar, but we know that this model works to bring about a sense of safety and well-being as time goes by and the teachers are well trained to make learning fun and to address trauma.”

​3. Oasis areas in the camp

​"Not only are the classrooms colourful on the inside, but the shrubs and flowers that were planted when we began building in May are now growing and blooming. The idea is that we create an oasis feel in the barren, cramped landscapes of the camp. There isn’t much room to do this, but we’ve used the space we have to help the children feel they are entering a whole new environment, that is just for them”.

​4. Schools on a shoestring

​“In India what struck me was how much we are in the right place, supporting Navjeevan in their work. They’re currently providing 20 schools on a shoe string in some of the most awful slums I’ve seen. These areas are worse than Kutupalong, yet they get no media attention or support. Despite the continual oppression Dalit children live under, they are clean, happy and confident at the Centres and learning well, this is an incredible achievement when you see where they live each day”.

The current situation for Dalit women and girls living in Bihar State is desperate. Surviving as part of the lowest strata of a brutal caste system, with the added oppression that arises from being female, traps many women in poverty and abuse.

UN Women state that despite government efforts for reform, across the country they continue to face severe maltreatment, including acid attacks, child marriage, dowry-related violence, honour killings, rape, sexual harassment and trafficking.

Compounding this situation are pervading levels of caste discrimination which despite being outlawed, determine much of the structure of daily society. Dalits are considered the ‘lowest’ of the caste strata and face severe restrictions, exploitation and violence.

The work we support here focuses on supporting women and girls to realise their rights to education, health, income, protection and shelter. We encourage them to develop their confidence and self-esteem and to restore a sense of their inherent self-worth.
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We provide access to education for 1,200 Dalit children within 30 colourful and safe environments. Located on rooftops and canal-sides, under trees and inside homes, the Centres are accessible to all. Children learn maths, reading, writing and vital life skills and gain understanding of their inherent worth. They develop knowledge of their rights and will ultimately be resourced to access mainstream education opportunities.