Open Shelter

The Ministry of Women & Child Development, Government of India has sanctioned to run a Open Shelter for 25 nos. of boys child under the Integrated Child Protection Scheme collaboration with Department of Women & Child and Social Welfare, Govt. of West Bengal at Ward No.-25, Uluberia Municipality, Howrah District for the children in need in urban and semi-urban areas to provide care, support and rehabilitation for their holistic development. The purpose of the scheme is to create systems that will efficiently and effectively protect children. It is based on the cardinal principles of “Protection of child rights” and “Best interest of the child”. Open Shelters in urban and semi-urban areas cater to all children in need of care and protection particularly beggars, street and working children, rag pickers, small vendors, street performers, orphaned, deserted, trafficked and run-away children, children of migrant population and any other vulnerable group of children Their age group of 6 – 18 years. The scheme essentially targets the homeless and street children ensuring protection of their rights and mainstreaming in the society by creating accessibility of developmental services to them.

The main objective of the programme –

• To attract above-mentioned target group of children from their present vulnerable life situation to a safe environment.
• To guide these children away from high risk and socially deviant behaviors.
• To provide opportunities for education and develop their potential and talent.
• To enhance life-skills and reduce their vulnerabilities to exploitation.
• To carryout regular follow up to ensure that children do not return to vulnerable situations.
• Encourage involvement of social workers, community volunteers, peer educators, students and others. This will provide opportunity to people with skills and time to mentor, guide and improve the quality of life of these children.
• Prepare Individual Care Plan for each child which will be monitored by the DCPS from time to time
• To provide a space for children where they can play, use their time productively and engage themselves in creative activities through music, dance, drama, yoga & meditation, computers, indoor and outdoor games, etc