Jammu has been affected by years of violence due to clashes between Muslims and Hindus. The instability in the area has resulted in families moving out of town and living elsewhere as refugees.
The majority of the poor people in Jammu lives in rural areas but over the years, an increase in urban poverty has also been witnessed since people migrate to cities in search of better opportunities and livelihood. However, there is not enough infrastructure and resources to cater to the needs of the increasing population; this has resulted in an increase in slums in Jammu.
Families living under poverty struggle on a daily basis to make their ends meet. Parents are often unable to cater to the emotional and physical needs of their children; children are also forced to drop out of school and help their family in household chores.
SOS YOUTH
At the age of 14, our youth boys are shifted to the Youth House where they continue their progress. At present, the number of youth at our facility in Jammu goes up to 68. While many of our children are enrolled in schools, others are pursuing their bachelor’s and master’s degree courses from colleges.
In order to give our youth exposure, various excursions and tour visits are organized. Picnics are also conducted for children and their caregivers where a day out of fun-filled activities is planned; this serves as a bonding time between children and their family members.
(A) Hermann Gmeiner School (HGS)
The number of children enrolled in the Hermann Gmeiner School, Jammu, now goes over 1000. The pass rate of children taking the board exam for class X and XII in the school has now reached 100%, which is a great achievement in itself.
Children in HGS are active in co-curricular activities, especially sports; they have participated in championships at both levels; State and National.
