How to improve the Ashram, from the children’s perspective
The children of CHILD Ashram play a central role in the running and development of their home.
Through the system of patrol groups, inspired by the Scouts, the children meet daily to discuss and evaluate each others’ needs, complaints or difficulties. They decide themselves on changes to implement, facilitated in their discussions by Sarath, the founder of the Ashram.
Global Concerns, on a visit to CHILD Ashram, asked the children how they thought their home could be improved. They told us that they wanted:
- A vehicle for transportation. When one boy needed urgently to go to hospital earlier in the year, they had difficulty in transporting him.
- Better sanitary facilities. This was expressed by a lot of the girls, and is a problem across India (many girls drop out of school in India before they have reached 5th standard because there are no toilets or sanitary facilities).
- Better science laboratories. Many of the children dream of growing up and becoming doctors, nurses, or engineers.
- Increase the land the Ashram has, and grow more vegetables to become more self-sufficient. Many children expressed the view that they were too dependent on well-wishers, and wanted to produce their own food.
- Improve nature around the Ashram. Currently the land is very dry and arid.
- Increase the salaries of staff. The children say that the salaries their teachers receive are too low, which is why some leave for jobs in government schools.
- Improve sports teams and equipment. The children are currently playing in the local area but would like to play at district or state level.
If you would like to support the development of the Ashram, please visit our Donations page.