The issue of child labor looms large over India. Life in a slum revolves around day-to-day survival. Circumstances often force children into street labor- polishing shoes, picking rags, selling water pouches and engaging in other dangerous employment activities. Manav Sadhna provides a program through which these children can gain an outlet for their creativity in a safe and fun environment while also earning an income with dignity. Instead of working in the hot sun, they work under the roof of Manav Sadhna making greeting cards and other arts and crafts items.

Through Earn N’ Learn this year, we worked with 40 children. Each child participating in this project must attend a formal school. We also involve each child’s family in his/her growth by continuously interacting with them and encouraging their working participation in our activities.

During the four hours these children spend at Manav Sadhna every day, they participate in prayer, receive a nutritional snack and attend free tuition classes for one hour. Moreover, the project coordinators act as mentors and friends that provide guidance to the children. The children make 20 rupees a day initially and with practice, soon earn 40 to 50 rupees. A child working as a boot polisher on the streets will earn an average of 10 to 30 rupees daily for longer work hours in harsher surroundings.