Child Labour (Bridge Course) Project - 1997 sponsored by Women & Child Development Dept, Education Dept, Govt of India

Prajna Counselling Centre is the pioneer N.G.O. to launch ‘Child Labour Special School’ in Karnataka State for the rehabilitation of Child Labourers, Street Children, Rag pickers and School dropouts. In 1997 Prajna started this special school at Moodshedde village in Mangalore.

The main aim of conducting Child Labour (Bridge Course) School is to instill the importance of education to working children by withdrawing them from employment. The ultimate aim of the school is to prepare children to enter into normal school or vocational training.

• A total of 647 (333 boys & 314 girls) child labour, street children, rag-pickers, school drop-outs  and children of migrant workers have been streamlined into formal education and vocational training through series of residential  motivation camps. 

Education status of the Rehabilitated Child Labour and School drop-out children 

Class/Course	Presently studying /undergoing	Already completed
B.Ed	-	1
Nursing	-	1
Graduation BBM & BA	6	0
PUC/Job-oriented course	14	10
I.T.I.	5	1
S.S.L.C.	32	28
VIII th & IXth Std	77	49
Ist to VIth Std	179	237

Cottage for destitute, orphan & neglected children (age between 5-12) – 2002, supported by Women & Child Development Dept, through DK Zilla Panchayat

Prajna is running “Destitute Cottage,” for children, situated at Preethi Sadan, Kateel, 35 Kms away from Mangalore. Destitute Cottage, houses destitute, abandoned and neglected children who are either transferred to the institution by the Government statutory institutions (Juvenile Homes, Observation Home etc.) or referred by other agencies and social workers.  It offers shelter to single parent children. There is provision to house children who come from difficult backgrounds such as alcoholic parents, financial constraints of the family etc.  Children found on the street, engaged in begging & rag-picking are also provided for in this cottage.

• Presently provides sheltered care, education and other support for 25 destitute, orphan, neglected children under the care and supervision of the 3 house mothers. Apart from this 23 children have been already rehabilitated into their biological  single parents, extended and foster families

Group Foster Home for destitute and abandoned children – 1999 (age between 12-18) supported by Karnataka Council for Child Welfare

Prajna is engaged in this programme for the rehabilitation of orphan children, destitute, under-privileged and single parent children through Group Foster Home located at Preethi Sadana in Kateel, Twin Home in Jeppu Mangalore .
This model of sheltering orphaned children was started by Prajna, where sheltered care, education and other support is provided for smaller groups under the care & supervision of house mothers. This very successful model involves renting houses at various locations, with accessibility to education & healthcare, and running them as normal households. This is a powerful alternative to the institutional model.

Fit Person Institution for orphan Destitute and Neglected young Girls – 2002, recognized & aided by Women & Child Development Dept, Govt of Karnataka

Prajna runs ‘Fit Person Institution’, recognized by the Govt. of Karnataka for the welfare and rehabilitation of girls in need of care and protection up to the age group of 21 years. The main aim of the programme is to give proper care and protection to the destitute, abandoned, neglected, abused girls. It shelters girls in conflict with law, girls who are referred by the Child Welfare Committee and transferred from the Govt. statutory institutions like Juvenile Home, Observation home, certified schools etc.
The programme is oriented towards tapping the talents and potentials of these girls by providing them food, shelter, basic education and guidance for career oriented education. The homes are run under the love, care, concern and protection of house-mothers. Their talents are identified and they are encouraged to re-integrate into the mainstream by acquiring employable skills.

• At present provides sheltered care, education and other support for 34 children. So far 32 children have already been rehabilitated into  their single  biological ,  extended and  foster families.

Education status of the Fit Person Institution adolescent girls

Class/Course	Presently studying /undergoing	Already completed
Graduation	-	2
Women’s Polytechnic Institute	-	1
P.U.C.	1	3
Nursing		1
Vocational course	1
VIIIth  to Xth Std	17	4
IVth to VIIth Std	7	4
Ist to IIIrd Std	3	4
Special school	1

De-Institutionalization project for abandoned and single parent children – 1997

‘De-institutionalization Programme’ aims to reach out to the children placed in government homes, privately run orphanages and other institutions. The programme is a step towards integration of children from institutions back into their own or extended families wherever possible. Sometimes into new families willing to adopt or provide foster homes for them. Prajna provides support services to help the families take care of their children. Prajna identifies, recruits, trains and support families willing to nurture children without homes until they begin to lead independent lives.

Since its inception in September 1997, De-institutionalization Programme has enrolled 420 children for sponsorship. Out of which 325 children stay with single biological parent and foster families. The other areas of work include prevention of institutionalization through the “Gate keeping” process, to further strengthen the Group Foster Homes, to provide counseling services to the children and their families and to maintain regular follow-up services.

Higher Education status of the de-institutionalized children

Class/Course	Presently studying /undergoing	Already completed
MSc. Nursing	1
BSc. Nursing	7
Graduation BA/B.com, B.S.W.	15
BED	2
Polytechnic/Chemical Engineering/ Diploma in computer	4
TCH	2
I.T.I/	2
Job-oriented course	8
PUC	50

Pediatrics Initiative for children living with HIV/AIDS – 2007

Organization  is engaged in  community based  intervention for the comprehensive   pediatrics care and treatment of children living with HIV/AIDS. The components of this programes are: Linking children to the nearest ART Centres, providing  nutrition, counselling, psycho-social   support for children and their parents and care givers. Organizes trainings for care givers, refers orphan children for care and support centres .

• At present project provides assistance for 20 children living with HIV/AIDS.

Net-work with Child Welfare Committee

Prof. Hilda Rayappan the founder Director of the organization is the President for District Child Welfare Committee for a second term nominated by the Government of Karnataka. The committee has been instrumental in providing care and protection to over 300 unfortunate children  under Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Act 2000. Majority of the above children are referred to  Prajna  forcare, protection, education and rehabilitation through our various initiatives.