About the center:

The center was started on 14^th November 1996 as a pilot project of S.O.S. Children’s Villages Maharashtra to tackle the gripping human problems faced by disadvantaged street children. The center caters to the needs and development of about 50 street children during the day. The services mainly comprise of health, nutrition, education, counseling and rehabilitation.

The children avail vocational training and other facilities under the guidance and supervision of a social worker and two caretakers. Some of the activities organized for the children are candle making, paper bag making, stitching, painting and art and craft. Excursions and picnics for the children are arranged from time to time.

There is a complete transformation that takes place in the children when they first come to the center. Before they come to the center they are dirty and undisciplined and prone to malnutrition and various addictions like smoking, drinking and sniffing cobbler’s glue.

For the overall development of children:

The children are taught basic personal hygiene and are each given a soap, comb, oil and a locker to keep their belongings.

They are given a thorough medical checkup and are immunized by a part time doctor attached to the center.

Lunch is provided at the center keeping the nutritional requirements of the children in mind.

The children are enrolled in the nearby corporation school and their development is tracked regularly by the caretakers. 3 girls from the center have received a scholarship from Vidya Niketan which will bear the expense of their education.

Some of the older children who have not received prior education sell newspapers and polish shoes which helps them become economically independent.

The habit of saving money is instilled in the children.

Problems faced by the center:

Limited area of operation: The shed is about 200 sqft., which is not sufficient. The shed is on leased land and they are looking for a suitable place to relocate along the railway lines.

Neighboring environment: There are a lot of anti-social elements from the neighboring slums who gamble within close proximity from the shed. This has proved to be a bad influence on the children and the interaction of the children with these people lead to various addictions.

Limited funds: The center is in urgent need of funds to run the daily activities.

Annual expenditure:

Total annual amount needed to support one child: approx Rs.7500 / $150 (around Rs.625/ $12.5 per month)

For donations:

S.O.S. Balgram Children’s Villages, Maharashtra

Arjun Building Koregaon Park,

Pune – 411001, INDIA

Ph.No. +91-20-26122039

Checks should be made payable to H.G.S.C. Pune 5.

All donations are exempt from income tax.

Contact information:

HGSC is currently run by:

Project Convener – Mrs. Shobhana Ranade

+91-20-25673492

Project coordinator – Mrs. Rajan Puranik

+91-20-24338161

Caretakers – Aruna Mirwankar, Nanda Bibave

+91-20-24457231

Doctor – Chandrakant Vinke

The center is located at Shivajinagar Railway Station, Platform no. 1.