The Youth Programme

Shaishav has experienced that many children who manage to complete primary school, do not continue to study but start work immediately. This is often due to pressure from their families. Moreover, the municipal high school facilities in Bhavnagar are inadequate and the students have to attend private schools which are often far away from home. The aim of the Youth Programme is to support adolescents in continuing education, keep them out of exploitative labour by providing training for non-hazardous work and facilitate a forum for them to organise.

Support Classes

In the communities where Shaishav works, we want to set up separate support classes for youths in 8^th to 10^th Standard and in 11^th to 12^th Standard. Especially in 10^th and 12^th Standard, extensive support is needed in preparation of the Board exams which will decide the students’ opportunities for further studies. Moreover, Shaishav wants to reach out to older children who are unable to enter school. Among these are working children and girls from communities who face restrictions about going out of the house. We will provide them with an educational programme that includes basic reading, writing and arithmetic skills as well as life skills and value education. This programme will prepare them adequately for direct entrance examinations in 7^th and 10^th Standard. This will be arranged in collaboration with the Education Department.

Vocational and Skill Development Training

For adolescents above 15 years, Shaishav provides Vocational and Skill Development Training to enable the youth to be more independent and be equipped with skills which will help them to find non-hazardous work. Income from par-time work can cover the school fees of youths who want to continue to study. The girls are trained in designing and making henna, a skill which is demanded in weddings and other occasions, and making pickles to be sold at the local market. The boys are for instance trained to do courier services. These training sessions also include teaching of life skills like teambuilding, leadership and decision making.

Tarunsena – AYouth Collective

Shaishav wants to motivate the children of Balsena to organise and form Tarunsena (Youth collective). These youths will be helped to take up various issues related to children, education, enrolment, youth development etc. at community level. These youth will also be motivated to start a saving program. Since many of them will be former members of Balsena they can easily be tuned into these programs.

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