Photo: CAD Productions
Poverty is a violation of human rights. This was proclaimed by over a hundred thousand people gathered on 17 October 1987, to honour the victims of extreme poverty, violence and hunger. The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is, since then, an invitation to present and promote concrete activities with regard to the eradication of poverty and destitution.
On this occasion, it is worth remembering the enormous work many organisations undertake in the field to face poverty. The non-profit organization Aarambh was founded in 1996 in Turbhe, the largest slum in Navi Mumbai. It works as a Community Service Center for the most marginalized families, providing educational and health support and vocational skills to children, youth and women living in urban slums and rural areas.
Aarambh motivates parents from slum communities to send their children to school; encourages women to acquire skills that will help them to become self-reliant and economically independent; networks with local governments and community groups to create bonds for collective action and enhances the capacity of the youth groups to take leadership roles in the community.
During around 30 years, more than 7000 children, women and youth have benefited from their programs, which include scholarships for high school and college education, free study classes, and computer literacy classes for youth, among others.
This is another initiative documented by Towards the Human City.
