Project title:

Sparsha – “We Care for You” – A support system for COVID19 impacted children belonging to financially marginalised families.

Vision:

Ensure continuity in education of every child impacted by COVID19 and minimise the socio-economic impact on the families.

Mission:

Working in collaboration with Donors, Corporates, State and Central Government for the rehabilitation and the well-being of COVID19 affected children and families in the field of education, daily needs, vocational training and job placement.

We care for you program for underpriviledged children and families

Objectives:

1. This program will act as a bridge between ‘who want to help’ with those ‘who need help’ in fulfilling the below two objectives
2. Provide educational empowerment to about 2000 children who belong to below the poverty line and marginalized communities, who lost one or both parents due to COVID19
3. Rehabilitation and well-being of corona virus affected families, for their socio-economic, health empowerment and holistic development

 

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Geography:

Sparsha “We Care for You” project activities will be implemented and monitored across 31 districts of Karnataka State

Beneficiaries:

We intend to impact about 2000 Children and their immediate family members

Beneficiary Criteria:

Families affected by COVID19 and whose monthly income is less than Rs.15,000/-

Some of the working categories listed for illustration:
Corona Warriors, Hospital Nurses, paramedical staff, Security personnel, BBMP Poura Karmikas, Teachers of unaided schools and others under this category.

Daily wage earners, Street vendors, Rag pickers, Drivers (auto rickshaw & cabs), BMTC drivers and conductors, Construction workers, Urban homeless, Garment workers, Maids & domestic helpers, marginal farmers, small businesses, migrated people in search of employment and disabled earning members.

Stakeholders:

1. Government Departments
2. Immediate Family members
3. Corporate Donors & Volunteers
4. Individual Donors & Volunteers
5. Civil Society Organisations

Introduction to Sparsha Trust

Poor orphan kids during covid19

  • Sparsha Trust® is a registered, charitable Trust that started in 2005. The Trust is working for the holistic development of needy and vulnerable children, and is focused on protection of Child Rights.
  • It identifies, rescues and rehabilitates children from 6 to 18 years old from very poor families. After identification, the children are enrolled in different shelters and day care centres managed by Sparsha Trust.
  • These shelter homes and day care centres provide the children with food, accommodation, medical care, quality education, life-skill training, vocational training and reintegration with parents.
  • Till date, it has reached out to more than 8000 children, and successfully rehabilitated more than 3000 working and street children, enrolling them in various schools including local Government schools or state run schools. It also operates a night shelter for urban homeless people with an average of 45 persons staying every night

Role of Sparsha Trust:

1. Through this project, Sparsha Trust is aiming to develop a concept and a plan for five years to connect with the children & their families who are affected.
2. Sparsha Trust will act as a bridge between the Needy and the Supporters, and ensure the genuine beneficiaries avail the benefits in a transparent manner.
3. Sparsha Trust will channelise the necessary financial & knowledge resources, with the support of Stakeholders

Karnataka COVID19 Status as on 13th May 2021
(Note: Data was compiled from media, google, war room and state health department reports)

a) Pandemic across 31 districts of Karnataka State from March 2020 and till date has affected lakhs of families, people and children. The Pandemic has created threat to physical health, and also impacted psychological, emotional, relational, social and economic lives of these families.

b) Many primary bread winners of these families have lost lives due to various reasons, like lack of proper care and medical facilities.

i. Many children have lost their parents and in some cases have single parent. They are left uncared.
ii. Families are now struggling to have one meal a day and are unable to send their children to schools to continue education.

The pandemic situation has affected most families and has forced children to work instead of continuing education due to which there is an increase in child labour, child marriage, begging and illegal adoptions. Stress has led to anxiety and trauma and children have left homes and are subjected to sexual abuse, harassment, child trafficking and other illegal activities 2,053,191 people are so far affected in Karnataka. 1,440,621 out of 2,053,191 have recovered. Sadly 20,368 could not survive.
Approximately 15% of the deaths relate to the families having children below 18 years of age (~3000). Approximately 6000 children are affected (considering 2 children per family). Of these 6000, about 50% belong to lower socio-economic status. Thus, the beneficiary group is about 3000 children

Sparsha’s aid to the Impacted Families

underpriviledged children during covid19

Every impacted Children and Families, will go through these typical stages in a progressive manner towards normalcy. This project has outlined primary objectives impacting some of the stages, however will deliver impact across all other stages even to a limited extent.

1. Emotional and Psychological Support to the children and immediate family members
2. Fulfil their basic survival needs
3. Ensure children continue education
4. Necessary Social entitlement for children and immediate family members
5. Job placement or self-employment for financial stability

Problem Statement – Response – Impact

Sl. No.Problem StatementProject DeliverableImpact
1Pandemic has created Health hazards among familiesFamily health awareness & vaccination. Facilitate Medical kits. Referrals to Medical facilities & hospitalization in their vicinity.Health awareness has been inculcated among family members that include safe hygiene practices
2Anxiety, emotional disturbance and trauma – among children and remaining family membersProvide Counselling to children and family members, in addressing psychological, emotional and personal problemsChildren & Family Members are able to manage the anxiety, stress & trauma effectively.
3Loss of income due to: Death of primary bread winner (including other earning family members) and employment terminationReferral and job placement. Networking with local banks and providing social entitlementFamily members connected to job opportunities. Linked to Government schemes and Banks to improve their earnings
4Denied educational opportunity to children due to the loss of their family or the bread earnerEducation support, scholarship and hostel facility for school going childrenEnsure children continue to get quality education under the Right to Education Act
5Forced child labour practices among school going children, Child marriages, and illegal adoption between enrolled familiesCreate awareness among parents on the violation of child rights and its adverse impact on the child & family growth (Child protection, Care, Education and Development)Awareness among the parents and family members and the impact of violation of child rights
6Lack of earning skills to support family livelihoodSkill development trainings and providing Job placement opportunitiesAcquired skills of other family members ensure employment opportunities and access to social welfare schemes and social entitlements

Project Key Milestones

Sl. No.MilestoneTimeline
1Concept and Proposal DevelopmentMay 2021
2Formation of Core committeeJun 2021
3Appointment of Working Team membersJun – Jul 2021
4Need Assessment & Data collectionJun – Dec 2021
5Detailed Project PlanJul – Aug 2021
6Fund generation and Execution partners on boardingJul 2021 onwards
7Project ImplementationJun 2021 – May 2026
8Project Progress Report to StakeholdersTwice in a year

This is a Five Year Project, starting from June 2021 till May 2026

Financial Governance:

1. Few members from ‘Sparsha We Care for You Core Committee’ will be responsible for Funds review and approval
2. Dedicated Bank account for this project – inflow and outflow of funds
3. Quarterly Financial audit by the Chartered Accountant
4. Annual Financial statement to Corporate donors

Process Management

 

InputOutputOutcomeMeasurement indicatorsTimelines (Quarterly)Risks Vs Mitigation
Need Assessment data collectionUndertake Survey and Data collection

(Survey through online and offline)

Collection of data for about 2000 Children and their families.

Analysis of the Children & Earning members of the family

Staff involved

 

Survey Formats

Data Analysis sheet

 

Compiled data of impacted children and families

Phase 1: Starting Jun 2021 to Dec 2021 (This will be the basis to start the project)

 

Phase 2: Need basis during the project duration

Family members may not share information transparently

Government may deny sharing family data

 

Mitigation

Highlighting the benefits of this project, in convincing their participation

Covid vaccination and Health Safety practicesEnsure all family members are vaccinated as per Government guidelines & norms.

Connectivity to Health Care facilities and creates awareness

All family members will develop good immunity and follow good health practicesVaccination certificate

 

Health Records

 

Starting from Aug 2021, through the duration of the projectLack of interest in taking vaccination and personal Healthcare by the beneficiaries

 

Mitigation: Highlight the benefits of vaccination and the importance of maintaining good health & hygiene by the family

 

Counselling sessions to address psychological, emotional and personal problemsComplete the counselling sessions for Parents / Family members and Children as per the scheduleParents / Family members and Children will become mentally strong in facing personal and work / education situationsCounselling Reports

 

Performance Reports

Starting from Sep 2021, through the duration of the projectFamily members will not openly share their issues with the Counsellors

 

Mitigation: Counsellors will build rapport through regular interactions

Fulfilling of Basic needs through supply of ration kit  to affected familiesEnsure all impacted families will get minimum food requirements, based on the family situation

 

Children will have all necessary clothing & stationeries for their education

 

Health and nutritional status of family members will be taken care

 

Every child will have all basic educational requirements

List and details of local ration shops and government societies

 

Number of families received monthly ration kits & Bills from the vendors

 

Number of children received educational kits & bills from the vendors

Starting from Aug 2021, through the duration of the projectFinding nearby vendors and government societies. Incorrect requirement list from the beneficiaries

 

Mitigation: Convincing beneficiaries to provide correct information to obtain the necessary essential items from nearby vendors

Referral and job placement. Networking with local banks and providing social entitlement

 

(namely opening of bank account, Aadhar Card, widow pension, Senior Citizen pension, Senior Citizen Card and other needy Social entitlement benefits)

Referrals to Government and non-Government job opportunities.

 

Linkages to Banks and Social Entitlements’ departments, to build their self-employment opportunities

 

 

Ensure beneficiaries have financial stability and sustain their family well-being

 

 

 

Appointment letter from employer

 

Self-employment initiatives undertaken

 

Social Entitlement cards / certificates

Starting from Oct 2021, through the duration of the projectJob opportunities may not be available within their vicinity areas

Lack of necessary supporting document for Social Entitlements

 

Mitigation: Convince to travel or re-locate, near to the earning location

Support to obtain necessary documents for Social Entitlements

Education support, scholarship and hostel facility for school going childrenEnsure admission and retention of children in same or similar school through scholarship, as they were attending school before pandemic impact

 

Ensure admission in to hostels, if there are no care takers

 

Mentoring / Career guidance to children

Ensure all the beneficiary children get access to school, without any child rights violation

 

School Enrolment Record

 

School Progress Card

 

Hostel Enrolment

Starting from Jul 2021, through the duration of the projectCollecting data of impacted children. Enrolling in to Hostels. Convincing family members

 

Mitigation: Data collection through Government departments and field work.

Regular interaction with the family members in highlighting the benefits of this project

Skill development trainings and providing Job placement opportunitiesLinkages with Government and non-Government skill development training agencies and job placementEnsure beneficiaries acquire necessary skills to obtain jobs.Training certificate

 

Appointment letter from employer

 

Self-employment initiatives undertaken

Starting from Dec 2021, through the duration of the projectDistance to Skill training centers and Workplace

 

Mitigation: Convince to understand the importance of skill training to lead a better life.

Volunteering Opportunities:

MilestonesRole of volunteersNumber of volunteers required
Need Assessment and Data collectionPreparing survey questionnaire3
Undertake Survey & Data collection (Survey through online and offline)50
Analyse the collected data5
Prepare Need Assessment final presentation2
Family health awareness, covid vaccination. Referrals to Medical facilities & hospitalization. Supply of necessary health kitPrepare health awareness training material5
Conduct Health awareness training20
Compile vaccination schedules (region-wise) and communicate to the beneficiaries5
Information about Health care facilities and connecting5
Counselling support for children and family members, to address psychological, emotional and personal problemsIdentify Volunteer-Counselors and connecting5
Fulfilling of Basic needs through supply of ration kit  to affected familiesSponsor ‘Ration kit’ for a family and identify other sponsors50
Referral and job placement. Networking with local banks and providing social entitlementData collection of job opportunities, local banks and social entitlement schemes (region-wise)10
Connect and provide guidance to obtain the schemes10
Education support, scholarship and hostel facility for school going childrenSponsoring a child and networking to other sponsors50
Tutoring students on their subjects (online)100
Plan and provide exposure trips & excursions to students10
Mentoring & Career guidance for the students100
Create awareness to parents on the violation of child rights and its adverse impact on the child & family growth (Child protection, Care, Education and Development)Create awareness to parents and children on Child Rights (videos, presentation, meetings, etc)10
Skill development trainings and providing Job placement opportunitiesPrepare training material for skill development (topic-wise)5
Conduct online training10
Connect to training centers and job opportunities10