Noida, January 24, 2021: HCL Foundation (HCLF), the CSR arm of HCL Technologies, launched the Nanhe Parinde initiative for children living in difficult circumstances (CIDC) in Noida, Gautam Buddha Nagar. This is an initiative under HCL Uday, HCL Foundation’s urban flagship programme in partnership with the Police Department and CHETNA (their NGO partner). HCLF’s support complements efforts of the Police Department towards providing safe spaces and education to children living on streets, and working children to reduce juvenile crime.
The initiative was flagged off by the Commissioner of Police, Gautam Buddh Nagar, Alok Singha long with his wife Akanksha Singh, on the occasion of U.P. Diwas, which is celebrated on January 25, in the presence of Nidhi Pundhir, Director, HCL Foundation along with guests Dr Mahesh Sharma, Member of Parliament from Gautam Buddha Nagar, Pankaj Singh, Member of Legislative Assembly, Noida and Dhirendra Singh, Member of Legislative Assembly, Jewar.
The Nanhe Parinde Initiative will function to prevent vulnerable children and youth from slipping into a life of crime and supports them in discovering their voice and passion. A diverse range of services catering to both academic and physical development will be offered through a carefully designed curriculum.
HCL Foundation aims to provide children living on streets and working children a safe space where the children will receive alternative education, arts and crafts, training in self-defence, gender and inclusion, co-curricular activities, opportunities for sports and nutrition through five mobile vans which will be launched over three years to reach out to 400 to 500 CIDC (children in difficult circumstances) in GB Nagar and mainstream them into the formal education system. These mobile education vans will be equipped with modern amenities such as LCD screen, sound systems, CCTV cameras and GPS for safety and security, educational material, first aid box, handwashing station and sanitisation facilities. Each van will reach out to 50 to 60 children every day with support from the local police stations at pre-determined spots.
HCLF’s NGO partner, Childhood Enhancement through Training and Action (CHETNA), works for empowerment through education of street-connected children since 2002 and will be responsible for the implementation of the programme and will provide a team with a female driver, community mobiliser and educator to run the initiative. Guidance and mentoring support will be provided so that children have access to counselling, safe infrastructure, and observe important days/ events for social awareness, environmental awareness etc. along with the regular health checkups, gender and inclusion sessions and self-defence training.
