Lokharmath Community Development

The Lokharmath Community Development Project, established in 1995 in a marginalized community of South Kolkata, focuses on women and children trapped in poverty and exploitation. Many of these women, migrants from rural districts, are often lured by promises of work but find themselves coerced into the sex trade due to economic hardship. The project creates a safe space for their children, who frequently lack birth registration and face significant barriers to school enrolment due to missing documentation.

The project offers non-formal education, promotes school attendance, and provides after-school support in areas like art and dance. Nutritional care for children under six is provided through the Government’s Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) program, which offers food, healthcare, and early childhood education. Awareness campaigns on HIV/AIDS empower mothers with crucial information, promoting community transformation.