My Internship at the Child Aid Foundation

Over the summer, I've had the opportunity to work with an NGO based in Vijaywada, India, called the Child Aid Foundation (CAF). It works to solve a prevalent problem in India today, crippling poverty (among children specifically). A large percentage of the countries population lives in slums and rural areas In 2018, as reported by the World Bank, numbers as high as 35.2% of the population were living in slums. Most parents (the majority of whom have multiple children) face an enormous burden to provide even simple necessities for their children. Each family generates just about enough income to put food on the table. Understandably, education is quite low on the list of priorities. On the rare occasion when learning is important, boys are given glaring preference, while girls are married before they reach eighteen. 

A change needed to be made thought A.Goswami, who at the time was a young graduate from New York. Far too many children were unable to reach their full potential, simply because of the family they had been born into. Mr. Goswami worked at multiple NGOs which supported children in India to better understand possible solutions of the issue. He formally set up the Child Aid Foundation on June 1st, 1993. He is the current director at the foundation. The organization has consistently taken in 300 students every year and has now helped approximately 8,400 children!

The organization tries to give these children a leg up, by providing them with an education, food, clothing amongst other amenities. These extra conveniences help convince even the most unwilling  parents and guardians (who would rather send their children to work and earn extra income rather than learn) to send their children to school.  Making education a priority is key in helping these children accomplish something meaningful!

 

I spent some time promoting the foundation online, while also learning more about the children and how they live. Such promotion can spread the word about CAF and attract the attention of those who can contribute to supporting the activities of the organisation. This has also been an eye-opening experience for me and has helped me realize how fortunate I am. I'm posting this blog in the hope that in a small way, it can encourage at least some donors to come forward to help CAF improve the lives of many more children achieve their maximum capabilities. 

Website: https://www.childaidfoundation.org 

Facebook: facebook.com/childaidfoundation

Twitter: twitter.com/ChildAid

Instagram: instagram.com/childaidfoundation