Unnati Sansthan was registered in 2000, under the Rajasthan Society Act, 1958. Since its inception, we have worked to create a society that is free from the exploitation of children and women. We have focused on a combination of raising awareness of the poor, particularly towards issues such as child labour, education and child trafficking, and on providing these communities with the capacity requ
ired so that they can be their own agents of change. Over the last five years, our Khilta Bachpan and Chalo Chalo School Chalo projects, along with the organisation's work in the formation and strengthening of Child Protection Committees, has created a highly positive impact on children's lives in 373 villages. Community members have become aware of the issues created by child labour, and enrolment of children in schools has risen significantly. Unnati has worked hard to ensure that all children are able to get to school everyday through the provision of escorts, local women who walk groups of young children to school over difficult or dangerous terrain. Unnati's work has resulted in improved coordination between School Management Committees, Panchayat-Level Child Protection Committees (PLCPCs) and Village Child Protection Committees (VCPCs) in the tracking of out-of-school children and child labourers. In addition, many needy families have been linked with social protection schemes to further relieve them from oppression and vulnerability. Our current major focus is on improving the quality of education offered in schools through School Management Committees, forums made up of parents and community members who help to manage the running of the school and ensure that it meets the needs of its students. We are also working within schools to ensure that they provide toilets, drinking water and hand washing facilities, and ensure that both children and teachers understand how to use these facilities and their importance in terms of health. As a result, Unnati has developed a strong and unique understanding of children's issues in Udaipur District.
