ECHO Happy Kids (2007)
Crime Prevention Centre in Janakiram Layout, Bangalore, through the National Child Labor Project (NCLP).
Happy Kids is designed as a preventive programme for the benefit of children, from Lingarajapuram (Bangalore) and surrounding slum areas. The main objective is to create awareness among the families in slums for better child care practices, promoting interest among children to pursue education and most importantly- preventing the children from getting into malpractices or getting victimized and abused by anti-social elements. The center was inaugurated in July 2007 by Shri. B.K. Singh, Deputy Commissioner of Police, East Division. Currently, the center is helping around 60 children, providing non-formal education and creating awareness in the community. 25 children are admitted to schools and 30 children attend tuitions.
Community Presence
The ECHO staff is present in the area and are accessible to children at all times. Utmost care is taken to involve the families of the children in all programmes and decisions, that are taken in the course of helping the child. Families of the children are visited regularly, not only to keep them appraised about their children, but also to motivate them to take more interest in their child’s future.
Supplementary Education
ECHO plays a crucial role in the lives of these children by organizing coaching classes in the evenings, to help children with their studies. Thus, efforts are made not only to prevent children from discontinuing their education, but also to retain them in school. ECHO has been successful in giving the children an opportunity to realize their Right to Education.
Many children in this area face daily challenges—from financial strain to caring for siblings—that keep them out of school. Through targeted interventions like safe learning spaces, non-formal education, parental engagement, and daily nutritious meals, ECHO is helping these children return to school, regain their confidence, and reclaim their right to a brighter future.