Since majority of the people are marginalized in India, educating them becomes a crucial phenomenon. Though their children have high potential, economic poverty, social backwardness, ignorance and lack of schools in their locality make children drop out from schools. This project targets such neo-literate youth who, owing to lack of formal education, have resorted to unorganized labour for income. Agenda of this project is to shape their future and provide them a dignified living.
The proposed location Kabi Nabin Sen Road slum is a part of the South Dum Dum Municipality, which is strategically located in adjacent to Kolkata city in the North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal. Most of the municipality’s residents are migrants from West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar and some are illegal immigrants from Bangladesh.
Most of these slum dwellers are employed either as daily wage earners or operate small ventures like stalls and repair centers. The target population of this project is the unskilled youth of Kabi Nabin Sen Road slum who are school drop-outs with basic education. Under this programme, these youth are provided formal training in computer, English and soft skills essential for a white-collar job. The placement process ensures that students secure decent positions in good companies.
Smile Foundation has partnered with Narayantala Mass Communication Society to implement the STeP project.