Welfare Programs for Children

Coaching Classes for Poor - Recreational Activity

“The spirit of sacrifice is the soul of the society” – Fr. Wilhelm Meyer (Founder – SAL)

Most of the children attending government schools come from the poor strata of society. Their parents go for coolie (manual hard labour) work and return very late. The parents are often illiterate and cannot help their children with their school work. On some days, they are so tired, they don’t bother with the children.

To help these children and the parents, SAL has organised tuition sessions in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. After school hours, appointed teachers provide tuition free of cost. They also have a competition for children which is part of the Morals class to encourage good citizenship within the community.

Children’s Parliament

Childrens Parliament

Riding on the success of the Children's Parliament initiative in different parts of India, SAL has successfully set up the same initiative in Andhra Pradesh. This initiative set up in 2015, and involving more than 3000 children takes place in Jaggayyapeta and Rajavaram.

Shadowing the mechanisms of a real live parliament, the children (aged 7-15) act as concerned citizens of their universe i.e., their village, school, and their fellow citizens (children of the same age). They elect representatives between themselves as Ministers to handle developmental activities, solve problems, resolve gender issues, take on community tasks etc.

These bi-monthly activities take place after school, where chosen Ministers/citizens submit memorandums on health talks, or gender education, and discuss community issues. There are ministers chosen for various important tasks like an Education Minister for education matters, a Gender Minister for gender issues, a Developmental Minister for development of the surrounding areas etc. For example, if a child does not show up at school, it is the responsibility of the Education Minister to follow up with the school, and the child’s home, to see if there are any problems and ensure that the child attends school.

Boys will be in blue and girls will be in pink. And that's how tradition has always been, following the rules of the past. But not all established traditions have worked in favor of either gender - especially the female gender. In India, the archaic practices of sati and dowry which had been abolished in the 20th century still looms around promulgating the ‘low status’ of the female child. The Gender Minister makes sure that both genders are treated equally in all issues. By promoting these endeavors with the young generation, a mindset is created within them that all genders should be treated equally and going forward as future citizens, they should always promote gender equality.

In the end, the Child Parliament’s main aim is to promote gender equality, learning, resourcefulness, awareness, and taking on social tasks thereby creating future responsible citizens and leaders.