Education for underprivileged children in Guwahati

Guwahati, Mar 29 (ANI): Utsah or the Universal Team for Social Action and Help, a Guwahati based NGO, is imparting education to underprivileged children at Guwahati's Hafiz Nagar area.

The members of NGO persuaded the parents of these children to send them to school. The curriculum includes Gandhian principles, craft making, basics of practical hygiene and much more.

"We have learnt many things here in this school. We study here and then revise those things at home. I like coming here. I want to study well in future so that I can become a responsible citizen of the country," said Maqbul, a student.

The school complex, where these children learn to read and write, is located in a small compound right next to railway tracks. Most children are rag pickers and earn money from collecting waste. About 90 students attend classes daily. It is hoped that education will help transform their lives.

The opening of the school has brought about several changes in the area. Theft and alcoholism have dropped drastically, sanitation facilities have improved and people are becoming more and more concerned about hygiene. The school aims to provide these children with confidence to face the challenges of future.

"When we first started the school, we had only 10-15 students, who attended the classes' everyday. Slowly we took a little more initiative and contacted other parents. Today we have 90 students who come to classes regularly and take part in the activities here," Miguel Queah, chairperson, Utsah.

Over the years, several NGOs and Self Help Groups with support from the government, have come up to promote education and create better job opportunities for the youth in the region. They also provide technical training and monetary assistance to the people. (ANI)