What we do?
We identify vulnerable children, who are in the age gap of 6 years and above, and admit them into residential homes. Under the shelter of these homes, children get healthcare facilities, nutritious food and protection. Apart from providing basic amenities, children also get the required education. Under Need Base India (NBI), we create a positive environment that encourages these children to dream and create a future of their choice. Along with that, we also teach life skills, self-awareness techniques, and expose them to the society and environment.
Why do we do it?
The long term residential support provided by Need Base India (NBI) is for the children found in the most dreadful and uncertain situations. They are either living on the streets, without parents or mentally-challenging home environments, like alcoholism, acute poverty, abuse etc. Moreover, they are even denied basic rights like shelter, protection, food and education.
How do we make it possible
Collaboration with Government Schools and Education Department, Karnataka
NBI’s strategy has always revolved around the optimised use of available resources and the government’s schemes. This is what led to the idea of running residential homes within the premises of a government school.
Over the years, with the rise in private schools, government schools are facing a decline in children enrolment. This, in turn, has resulted in empty classrooms, pushing most of the government schools to the brink of closure. If closed, children from low-income families would be the ones to bear the brunt.
NBI then decided to approach government schools for collaboration. Most of these schools have been cordial and in fact, welcoming. This association strengthened and improved overall facilities, like clean toilets, digitised classrooms, and more. .
It was a win-win situation for children of NBI and the surrounding communities as well as the government schools itself.
Identification of Vulnerable Children
At NBI, we outreach to communities, Anganwadi workers, school teachers, parents of children in the existing programs to get in touch with vulnerable children. Once identified, families are approached, and problem assessment, concerning the child, is done. If found needy, the children are brought to residential homes.
Running of Residential Homes
In the day time, children attend schools and during the nights, they are sheltered in the same school. A team of residential staff, including home managers, caretakers, teachers and security guards are present at all times and days.
Nutritious food and periodic health checkups are our priorities. Special attention is given to mental as well as physical well being. Sports and cultural activities are conducted regularly.
Birthdays and various festivals are celebrated with great enthusiasm. The support provided is long term in nature. On average, each child stays with NBI for at least six years.
The first residential home was for girls, which was established in 2011 in Jalahalli, Bangalore, and is called ‘Rainbow Home’. Since then, the program has extended to seven more residential homes in Bangalore.
Currently, around 450 children in 8 homes (4 for boys and 4 for girls), in Bangalore, Karnataka are being cared for under this program.
