Brand New "Fit for Purpose" Mother & Child Care Centre

To start off, let's define "fit for purpose" — suitable for the use for which it is intended.

In the beginning of 2025 some of the Yenadi families approached Ravi-garu (as he is respectfully known by the Yenadi at the Dumping ground) to discuss with him the possibility of starting a Child Care Centre that would provide for the care of 25 children between the ages of 3-5 in the encampment. This would be a place where the children would go while their mothers worked in the trash heap to earn a living.

There were some wishes that were expressed by the community:

• the building or structure of the Child Care Centre would be within the encampment grounds;

• the running of the Child Care Centre would be performed by someone they could trust;

• the men of the encampment would build the structure.

The parents of these young children were reluctant to send their children anywhere else for fear of trafficking and related issues. A child care center built within their eyesight would put their hearts at rest.

▲ The initial phases of constructing the structure took place in mid-March 2025.

These were highly specific requirements for the purpose built Child Care Centre. SFIRD put the plan in action immediately by getting permission from the land owners to build a semi-permanent structure that would be a safe place for the children and for the activities that would be conducted for their well being and education.

Land usage permit: Check!

The next wish was slightly more difficult, but as always where there is a will, there is a way. A lady from Ambedkar Nagar, also a Yenadi, Santha Kumari, who has experience working with children at the local hospital, has been appointed the responsibility of taking care of the children. An assistant, another Yenadi woman from the community, has also been appointed. The curriculum for the centre will be provided by SFIRD; this will be based on a curriculum that Ravi-garu has been developing over the years. SFIRD will oversee the training and mentorship of Santha Kumari and her assistant.

Care centre worker: Check!

The last requirement was to get the supplies needed and mobilize the workers to get the structure up and running. The structure would built with bamboo and the roof would be made of bamboo fibre sheets and plastic sheeting. The floor would be built with "napa stones" or granite slabs.

▲ ▼ Napa stones being laid down as flooring for the Care Centre.

The idea behind the structure is that if it ever needed to be dismantled, that can be done quite easily and within a reasonable timeframe.

The structure's build and supplies: Check!

Work started in the middle of March 2025 after overcoming several challenges. Finally, by March 31, the structure was ready and the inauguration was conducted on April 1, 2025.

One important change to note is that some of the mothers wanted to be a part of the Child Care Centre, and since the services and education of the centre would be geared towards both mothers and children, the center was now called "Mother & Child Care Centre."

▲ Santha Kumari the facilitator for the Mother & Child Care Center on the left.

▲ From left to right: Dr. Rama Rao, Ravi-garu, Chiran (a local government representative), and Venu Gopal  (a local government representative) at the inauguration of the Mother & Child Care Centre.

▲ Some of the children gathered together in front of the Care Centre.

One of the more immediate needs is water. Yes, a basic resource we take for granted is limited and unreliable for the Yenadis. The summers in Guntur exceed 120º F; current temperatures are already hitting 110º F.

Restoration Humanity and SFIRD are working to provide about 4000 litres or 1056 gallons of water per week. A water truck will deliver the water to the encampment, and the water will be stored in water tanks; this will bring much relief for the community especially during the summer months. This would be the only source of water for 140 people to use for drinking, washing, laundry, cooking, etc.

▲ The images above show some of the work that has been done in the community over the last eight months, some of which were the renovation of the school, the start and ongoing medical camps, medical and crisis intervention, etc.

The start of the Mother & Child Care Centre is a very momentous occasion for RH and SFIRD in our mission to care for the Yenadi, restore dignity for the downtrodden, and secure a better future for the next generation.

Your giving and support has been very integral to supporting and uplifting the Yenadi community; none of this would have been possible without your support and participation.

If you're interested in supporting the ongoing operations of the Mother & Child Care Centre, here is the monthly breakdown. The cost is for 25 days out of a month, for 25 children:

• Water supply including delivery per month: USD $100

• Snacks and food for children: USD $80

• Medical supplies and supplements for mothers and children: USD $120

• Teaching supplies: USD $160

• Salaries for Santha Kumari and assistant: $160

• Emergency fund for medical or other needs: $150

If you would like to contribute towards any of these areas of need, please click here to donate.

The Yenadi familes are overjoyed that their little ones now have a safe place — a place that provides care, nurturing, and education — a place to thrive. It is indeed a privilege for RH to partner with SFIRD to initiate and undergird this program. Here's to hoping that one life would be impacted and if possible many would be pioneers of change in the years to come.

Safety and security don’t just happen; they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear. — Nelson Mandela

Thank you for being a part of this inspiring journey!

If you would like to know more: more.info@rhlife.org

To donate to Restoration Humanity: www.rhlife.org/donate

Website: https://www.rhlife.org

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