The sight of children working, be it at dhabas, construction sites, street corners and even households, is an everyday occurrence in India, even today.
While many reasons push them into these circumstances, they only need one helping hand to get out and it could be yours. Here are some organizations where you can volunteer, donate or assist.
1. Child Rights and You (CRY)
It has been working since the 1970s towards eradication of child labour.
Where: Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, Chennai, and Kolkata.
How to help: You can donate or volunteer at any of the 5 centers
Learn more about them here.
2. Katha
It works towards promoting literacy for underprivileged children.
Where: Sri Aurobindo Marg, Delhi.
How to help: You can either donate cash or books, or volunteer for various programs, based on your area of interest.
Learn more about them here.
3. CHILDLINE India Foundation
It aims to help children in distress, with 1098 as the toll-free number. It is ‘India’s first 24-hour, free, emergency phone service for children in need of aid and assistance’.
Where: Present pan India with HQ in Mumbai.
How to help: You can either donate or volunteer at either their regional offices (they have a nationwide presence) or the head office in Mumbai.
Learn more about them here.
4. The Toybank
It sets up ‘Game Libraries’ and conducts ‘Educational Play Sessions’ to ‘help disadvantaged children retain a sense of childhood’.
Where: Primarily in Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur.
How to help: You can volunteer as researcher, blogger or in the collection, sorting, wrapping and distribution of toys or donate.
Learn more about them here.
5. Save The Children India
Registered as Bal Raksha Bharat, the institution collaborates with Indian and international organizations and uses the funds received to free children from child labour, child marriages, and other abuse.
Where: Present pan India with HQ in Gurugram.
How to help: They have various regional offices, and you can donate here.
Learn more about them here.
6. Make a Difference (MAD)
Spread across 23 cities, it aims to improve the quality of life for children living in street shelters or orphanages.
Where: HSR Layout, Bangalore.
How to volunteer: You can volunteer for one of 3 available roles, or donate.
Learn more about them here.
7. SOS Childen’s Villages, India
It works towards providing basic healthcare, vocational training, and long-term support to children who come from vulnerable families or reside in disaster-struck areas.
Where: HQ in Vasant Kunj, Delhi.
How to help: You can donate and ‘sponsor a child’ for a month or a year, as you may choose.
Learn more about them here.
8. Bhumi
This organization aims to provide quality education to underprivileged children.
Where: Present in 12 cities with HQ in Alandur, Chennai.
How to help: You can register with them for volunteering opportunities or donate.
Learn more about them here.
9. Bachpan Bachao Andolan
Working at the grass root level, this organization aims to rescue children caught in human trafficking or child labour.
Where: Kalkaji, New Delhi
How to help: You can assist via donations, since they have a nationwide presence.
Learn more about them here.
10. The Akanksha Foundation
The organization delivers high-quality education to underprivileged children through 20 after-school centers.
Where: Chinchpokli, Mumbai and Wakdewadi, Pune.
How to help: You can either donate online or volunteer by filling a form. (There are separate forms for Mumbai and Pune locations).
Learn more about them here.
11. Uday Foundation
It primarily focuses on providing better healthcare to disadvantaged children.
Where: Sri Aurobindo Marg, New Delhi.
How to help: You either donate in cash or kind, (even donate food for patients’ families) or volunteer.
Learn more about them here.
12. Bookwallah Organization
As the name suggests, the organization aims to provide the gift of imagination to underprivileged children, through storybooks and libraries.
Where: Chandivli Road, Mumbai.
How to help: You can volunteer for various roles, including that of a storyteller or donate for various short-term and long-term activities.
Learn more about them here.
13. Pratham Education Foundation
Present in 21 states, it aims to improve the quality of education in India, by breaking the practice of rote learning and adopt ‘outcome-oriented system’.
Where: SDA, Delhi and Nariman Point, Mumbai.
How to help: You can volunteer for available positions or donate.
Learn more about them here.
14. Teach for India
One of the most well-known organizations, Teach for India regularly works to solve the problem of educational inequity across multiple Indian cities.
Where: Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, New Delhi, Hyderabad, Ahemadabad, Bengaluru.
How to help: You can either volunteer or donate.
Learn more about them here.
It is easy to complain about lack of action, easier still to turn a blind eye – but would you really want to be part of such a flawed society? Take some time out, do your bit.
