Gaya Rescue Project,Jun 24th, 2014

The problem… In the district of Gaya, hundreds of street-children live on and around the

station platforms. Most of them are orphaned or abandoned children. Few are separated from their kin during travel or due to kidnapping which

is quite rampant in Bihar. Children survive by begging, scavenging and rubbish-collecting. They are

at great risk from violence and abuse, including child-prostitution, drugs and trade in organs for transplants.

There is little or no government help for these children.

Project Focus Child protection, basic healthcare and

education Community awareness programs Juvenile justice and child rights

Rescue Junction goals Rescue Junction is a 24 hour shelter for street children living on

the platforms of Gaya station in Bihar. To act as a safety net for vulnerable youngsters who are lost and

in danger of exploitation. To locate & reunite lost children with their families. To provide vocational training opportunity to children and young

people currently working in the trains. To create awareness in the community & local government about

the plight of these lost railway children. To act on behalf children inhumanely kept in remand homes &

fight for justice. To provide child protection and legal services to the children.

• 24 hr shelter for platform children.

• Provides care and informal education.

• Provides safe storage for their possessions and personal saving accounts to bank their earnings.

• Provides 3 meals per day

• clothing and healthcare.

• 300+ children taken care of by the shelter

Project details

Milestones:Rescuing children

Since Rescue Junction became part of the Childline network, referrals have increased dramatically.

350 missing children were successfully reunited with their families between Feb 2013 – Jan 2014.

Child traffickers have been jailed with the help of local law enforcement

Milestones: Recognition Rescue Junction was visited by important government officials

which included the Bihar Cabinet minister of Labor and The Cabinet minister of Urban Development.

Due to their achievements, reputation and trust for the organization in the local community and government is very high.

The Ministry of Child and Family Welfare (Central Government) has sanctioned $20,000 for the Child line portion of the project (but funding hasn’t been received yet)

The Chairman of the trust, Mr. Deepak Kumar has been presented with “Gem of the nation” award by Dr. Kalam

Future Goals To ensure the initiation, approval and funding of all existing initiatives at

the district and state level. The trust is working towards obtaining funding from state/central government sources for this purpose

This would greatly improve and establish a child safety and protection network in the state, which would reach out and benefit many thousands of children.

Establish a computerized network of information on missing and trafficked children

Establish a forum with concerned NGO’s for the purpose of information and resource sharing, including training and opportunities.

To provide vocational training to about 100 kids in skills such as air conditioning maintenance, cell phone repair, sewing etc.

Funding 69% of funding comes from a grant 20% comes from OWCF and PFI 11% from ASHA Funding requested from ASHA for Feb 2014 to Jan 2015:

Rs.2,76,531

Expenditures: Feb 2013 to Jan 2014Expenditure Annual Expenditure (in INR)Staff Salaries 650400Project Development Officer 75000Community Liaison Officer 38450Bihar Street Children ForumCost of conference 100000Travel Cost connected with forum 50000Printing and publicity cost 20000All other administrative cost 50000

• The Project Development Officer establishes links with all relevant agencies including the state welfare department to promote and develop the project

• Community Liaison officer engages all sections of the local community in working with the development officer to raise a community awareness regarding child exploitation and trafficking

• Bihar Street Children Forum is conducted to have a formal network of organizations working with street children and use the childline model to develop the network

Expenditures (contd)Provisions & Services Annual Expenditure (in INR)Food costs 250000

Medical costs 150000

Festivals 30000

Phone Costs 18000

Vocational Training 75000

Municipal Taxes 7500

Electricity Bill 24000

Fuel for generator 40000

Clothes/Blankets/Bedding 75000

Toiletries 42000

Games/TV connection & recreation 24000

Books/Notebooks/Stationary 84000

Building Maintenance 75000

Furniture 48000

Expenditures (contd.)

Child Protection Annual Expenditure (in INR)Legal Officer salary 240000

Travel allowance for legal officer 50000

Court papers and legal costs 50000

The legal officer attends all sittings of the local juvenile court on behalf of children who have no legal representation and those who have suffered injustice . He also prepares cases, gives legal advices and offers fully confidential services to all children who wish to see him. He also acts as a link between the project and local courts an judiciary.

Expenditures (contd.)

Getting Children Home Annual Expenditure (in INR)Travel and related costs for repatriation of lost/missing children.

150000

Staff Training Costs 72000

General Administration Costs 60000

Total Annual Expenses 24,50,127

11% Covered by ASHA 2,69,514

Estimated expenses for Feb 2014 to Jan 2015

25,13,921

Requested funding (11% covered by ASHA)

2,76,531