Constituency Served

children from slums including physically handicapped, 8-18 years; children from economically disadvantaged groups, 3-6 years

Details of Work

Masard works in 10 slums in Bangalore with centers in four of them. It runs a sponsorship programme for educating 250 orphan and destitute children and 100 physically handicapped children, 8-10 years, living in those slums. Masard pays for all the educational expenses, and provides supplementary education and free monthly food rations to cover three people in the family. It also opens a savings account for every child and deposits Rs.100-Rs. 200 per month into it. Physically disabled children are provided with mobility equipment and transport to and from the school. Masard sponsors the child until he/she starts working. Sponsorship is withdrawn if the child drops out of school. It runs four free day-care centres for children, 3-6 years. Each caters to about 30-50 children. Masard also has a programme for street children in Mysore and a renewable energy programme in Bagalur, rural Bangalore. It also works with women helping them set up self-help groups and provides credit and training facilities.