WHAT WE DO – URBAN

To address the prevalent rote learning lacking critical thinking in government schools, Mahita champions integrating science and technology to elevate learning outcomes. This initiative introduces innovative teaching methodologies and STEM education to shift the educational paradigm towards hands-on experiences, allowing children to explore their potential.Recognizing the global importance of STEM, Mahita provides equal opportunities, especially for girls, to engage in high-growth STEM careers. By implementing this approach, Mahita empowers students, nurtures curiosity and practical skills essential for their future STEM success.

Mahita established an Early Childhood Education Center catering to 70 children between ages 3-10 from migrant construction families. This provides crucial support including meals, healthcare and education to aid the most marginalized children, ensuring early education access.The program tracks children’s growth, addresses stunting through nutrition, and raises migrant family awareness regarding health and hygiene. This holistic approach uplifts and supports the children and families to positively impact this vulnerable community.

Many young people interrupt primary education for child labor yet aspire to continue studies later. Mahita encourages and facilitates secondary education through distance learning to support these ambitions. Mahita established Mithra Knowledge Centers in Adilabad to assist and guide determined youth seeking continued education by identifying and connecting them to distance programs. Additionally, Mithra Centers provide coaching and interactions to enhance learning. This initiative fosters continued education, focuses on improving communication and life skills to empower youth with essential skills and contribute meaningfully to their communities.

Access to clean, safe school facilities is pivotal for children’s health, safety, dignity and attendance. Mahita has long supported government schools by renovating dilapidated toilets, ensuring clean drinking water, and constructing girl-friendly infrastructure. Recently in Patancheru, we facilitated such facilities in 20 schools, benefiting 5000 girls, and 15 Anganwadis, benefiting 450 children. Moreover, we conduct vital Menstrual Hygiene Management capacity building for around 6000 adolescents in government schools in Adilabad and Hyderabad, imparting essential lifelong skills. Our infrastructure improvements and empowerment initiatives create environments for children’s holistic development.

Recognizing child protection as key to wellbeing, Mahita has spent years imbibing confidence and awareness to safeguard children from exploitation. We promoted accountability by establishing Child Protection Committees with local leaders that identify, respond to and prevent child rights violations. Additionally, our Children’s Clubs in government schools foster citizenship and governance by disseminating information on pertinent issues like rights, discrimination and quality education. These informal associations amplify children’s voices.

Our Community Livelihood Centers provide disadvantaged youth vocational training to enhance employable skills and entrepreneurship. Offering programs in areas like IT, marketing, fashion and beauty, we open up new opportunities for urban slum youth. Guidance extends beyond the training period into job attainment. This worldview exposure increases girls’ mobility and decision-making agency regarding health and social issues while enabling economic empowerment.

Mahita facilitates influential networks advocating child rights and human rights across sectors in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. As founder and convener of the 350-member APACR and TACR alliances, we lead NGO and stakeholder coordination to inform policies strengthening children’s welfare. Strategic advocacy efforts also drive critical policy changes around issues like child marriage. Further, Mahita conducts invaluable research studies on pressing children’s issues related to child marriage, education – from RTE implementation to assessing integrated aid – providing data-driven insights.

Mahita has conducted impactful research and developed pivotal IEC materials on critical children’s issues. We created videos and audio messages on ending child marriage and trafficking endorsed by celebrities like actress Rakul Preet Singh and Olympic medalist P.V. Sindhu to expand our reach. Our various publications integrate with government systems for greater change, including SMC guidelines and child participation manuals. Active collaboration with departments of women and child welfare, education, legal services and police optimize reach across institutions.

Leveraging celebrity influence helps spread awareness on issues afflicting children among wider audiences. Combined with network partnerships and research, our multidimensional approach drives positive impact for children across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

Through convening diverse partnerships and generating actionable research, Mahita fosters enduring positive change for children’s lives. Ongoing engagement with stakeholders spanning the public and private spheres amplifies our advocacy results across local and state levels.