Expanding education

Education creates the light of life

Rajiv Gujar, former Secretary, Snehalaya

We have been operating seven (Balbhavan) slum schools in Ahmednagar city since 2003 and on 15 August we opened our eighth center, Sanchalti Utkarsh Balbhavan in Kothala Ghasgalli. Following our highly successful and award-winning program, this new center will bring light to the lives of 200 more of our city’s children.

With daily wages of as little as US$1 per day per person, we are aiming to uplift children from our lower socio-economic communities by providing education, culture and health. We already have a proven track-record of supporting children into professional jobs and the start-up of their own businesses as well as their personality development, responsible citizenship and health. We are confident that our presence in this new area of the city will create a positive impact there too.

Inaugurated by the State General Secretary of Marathi Press Conference, Mansoor Shaikh, and social activist, Waheed Hundekari, it was a day of celebration in front of a large crowd of our staff, parents and students. Former Balbhavan student turned teacher, Pratiksha Salve moderated the program and just a few of the thousands of students who have directly befitted from our night study centers shared how their families have prospered through our education programs.

Director of the project, Hanif Shaikh, added that over the past 22 years our Balbhavans have been significantly contributing to our city's Seva Colonies. He also asked: “With the growing wealth of a handful and the poverty of millions, will our country become a superpower or a country of slums? Education is the only way forward and our Balbhavan is committed to bringing slum children into the mainstream of education and development.”