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REAP launched a virtual war on illiteracy through a mass campaign 8 years ago. Today it has reached 350 literacy centers spanning the length and breadth of Mumbai and surrounding rural areas upto Nashik city in the North of the State. REAP takes literacy to the doorstep of every child howsoever far and remote he/she may be through a non-formal educationprogramme. The campaign covers more than 10,000 learners annually which include children on the street, slums, rag-pickers, child laborers, tribal children. The Programme is open to all irrespective of caste and creed.
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REAP’s intervention focuses on ensuring the right of every child to be in school and thus preventing child labor, and for those already working a programme to wean them away from it. The learning programme includes pre-schooling for young children, bridge courses for working children, remedial classes (for those going to school) and National Open School (for drop-outs to complete X Std). REAP also networks with the government schools to upgrade quality education and prevent drop-outs.
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To ensure good quality teaching and learning REAP began its three Teacher Training Centers to prepare grass root, committed and quality teachers for this extensive learning programme. This is a crucial component and the backbone of the entire literacy mission. Two teacher training courses are offered: six months course (Marathi medium) and a one year course (English Medium).
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Each year about 60- 80 new teachers graduate and are absorbed in REAP’s ever expanding ‘footpath university’! The core team of trainers also conducts monthly in-service training and specialized training to existing staff. The Team also develops new teaching techniques, learning materials, syllabus for making learning joyful.
Short term Skill Training courses in Para Nursing and Beautician are offered to drop-out girls for self-employment opportunities.
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“Educate a woman, you educate a family”. Women are best agents for social change.
REAP enters a slum or rural community through the child and ends up transforming the community. REAP’s literacy movement for empowerment supports women rights and focuses on developing women to be decision-makers, self-reliant and assertive, fully liberated and able to transform the community. Beginning with adult literacy, awareness programmes, legal aid, skill training and finally Self Help Groups (SHG’s) is a journey of growth and self confidence. |
Women are trained in book keeping, maintaining pass books, loans, registers etc. From small savings of their own, internal loaning, micro-credit from banks, women have become managers of money and economically empowered. SHG’s also form a linkage with the literacy centers and ensures proper functioning of the classes.
Economic activities for profit such as making and marketing of household items such as candles, joss sticks (aggarbatties), masalas, snacks etc. has not only added to the earning potential but also given them positions in entrepreneurship and say in market economics. From ‘rolling pins’ to advocacy women, have shown they can be deciders of their destiny and transformers of society.
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| RESIDENTIAL LEARNING PROGRAMME |
Girl child education in rural areas in practically non-existent, and if it is, it is abysmal. REAP decided to focus on the rural tribal girl child and ensure that they complete at least high school. The result was the starting of a Hostel for tribal girls in Dolkhamb, Shahapur Taluka. The hostel was started in 2008 with 25 girls and today has reach 46 girls. Apart from the emphasis on coping with day to day studies with additional coaching in the hostel, stress is laid on all-round development of the girls. The once shy and timid girl is slowly groomed to be a self-confident and bright and energetic person who is capable of carving her own future. Dreams have become a reality. Seeing their progress, parents are now requesting for a similar boarding for boys. This is on our drawing board.
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