Earning respect through education | शिक्षा से गरिमा

Our societies are facing extraordinary challenges: increasing inequality, rising poverty rates, unstable economies, climate change and a raft of other issues. At the same time, technologies are transforming the world in which we live. The speed of change is faster than ever, and the social and environmental need is reaching a frightening crescendo. These challenges are daunting, yes, but they also offer the right set of circumstances to look at old problems in new ways. These conditions offer precisely the right opportunity for social innovation to emerge. Social Innovation is not just about recognizing challenges but seeing the opportunities and finding solutions. It is about choosing optimism and action. Adopting concepts and ideas that solve problem as it is up to us to bring positive change in society.

Sammaan is a social innovation project with an aim to provide life of dignity and respect to underprivileged sections of the society through education. We are working with tribal population at coastal region of Gujarat. Following are the causes for us to take up Project Sammaan:

• Project Area: Social upliftment through Education

• Target Group: Rural and Tribal Population (Students) at Luwara Village in Bharuch District, Gujarat, India

• Problem Statement 1: 53% of adult population is illiterate and other 42% are educated till “primary level”. Due to lack of awareness on how education can give them economic stability; adults do not pursue for education of their children.

• Problem Statement 2: Due to social and family pressures; absenteeism and school drop out are common problem. The education system in its current shape cannot pull these children back to school because neither it generates interest among the children nor provides motivation to study.

• Problem Statement 3: Social problems such as addition, poor girl child education, early marriage, health related issues are prevalent in the village. Youth is not gainfully employed which is 37% of the current village population.

This is a vicious cycle which could continue for generations and it can take considerable number of years before this under-privileged section of society is brought back into the mainstream. Education and skills are essential for sustainable economic and social growth. People need the right mix of skills to adapt to rapidly changing job markets and to achieve the possible social outcomes for themselves, their families and their communities.

Looking at the critical aspects; we have a deep understanding of how to create the conditions for social innovation emergence in education through which a dignified life can be provided to generation now. Fundamental to our approach is a belief in cross-sectoral collaborations, community involvement as the seeds of change.