Monimala
An educational program for underprivileged children
In Serampore, on the outskirts of Kolkata, there is an extensive slum community who live in the street or minimal shacks. About half the women have been abandoned by their men. Their children are in the street fending for themselves while the mothers work as servants to provide minimal subsistence. Many of these children have never been, or are ever likely to, go to school.
Monimala was established in early 2005, with Shadhika's help, with two main objectives: to provide a safe and healthy environment for the smaller children off the streets, and to prepare them for school attendance and help them succeed as students.
In a rented facility children are divided into two groups. Their ages range from two and half to about ten years old. The first group consists of pre-school age children plus those older ones who had never been to school. They are fed, clothed, and groomed to prepare them for school attendance at the appropriate time. The second group are those who are in school for half a day. They are provided a place to study and do homework, and with tutoring to help assure that they can progress along with regular, middle class attendees. Monimala's initial capacity is for 50 children.