Transit home for street children Chinnara Thangudhana formally inaugurated

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, July 3, 2012: Chinnara Thangudhama, a short stay home or transit home for rescued child labourers and destitute children, which was launched by Prajna Counselling Centre on Nov 19, 2011, has proved to be a haven for several rescued child labourers and destitute children.

K. T. Shailaja Bhat, president of the Zilla Panchayat, inaugurated it formally at Government Higher Primary School in Bejai on July 3, Tuesday.

 

Speaking about her experiences, Laxmi, one of the inmates of this transit home, said that her uncle took charge of her after her parents died. He made her work at the house where he was employed and took her earnings away from her. The Child Welfare Department rescued her and took her to Chinnara Thangudhama in January, where she learned values such as discipline, learning, and cleanliness, she said. They also taught her to read, write, dance, and sing, she added. 

 

The transit home was launched as part of the project to make Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) benefits easily accessible to street children, beggar children, HIV positive children, children of rag pickers, and other kids deprived of education.

 

Speaking on the occasion, K. Geetha, assistant project coordinator for SSA, said that the transit home provides basic facilities such as free food and lodging, the aim being to take street children and rescued child labourers back to the mainstream. The home will also deal with issues such as counseling, de-addiction, and education. After a 12-month stay in the home, the children will be admitted to government schools based on their age.

 

The transit home is now taking care of 54 children, and 20 of them are now fit to be admitted to a residential school, she said.