ORIENTATION VISIT TO RURAL LITERACY HEALTH PROGRAMME (RLHP)

RLHP is a non -governmental organization working with an aim of comprehensive development of people living is slums and villages through a child centered integrated community development approach.On2/12/23 around 12:00pm from the department of social work we, had visited RHLP located in Mysore near Gayathripuram. Mr shashi kumar was the coordinator of the RHLP.He gave us detailed information regarding the centre .The coordinator started saying that Joy Maliekal founded RLHP, a non-governmental organization in Mysuru of Karnataka state in 1984 5o bring a change in the lives of the underprivileged, disadvantaged and deprived sections of the society.Joy spread awareness among slum dwellers and gave them a ray of hope for the betterment of their livelihood .Joy and his wife Philomena extensively worked for the cause of slum dwellers for several years .The director of RLHP is saraswati. The vision is to create free, equitable and sustainable society. The mission of the center is to empower the marginalized poor in slums and villages vulnerable children and other affected by natural calamities and climatic changes to respond to the challenges of growing poverty and human rights violations through collective and affirmative action leading to sustainable development, self reliance and economic independence.The evolution growth of RLHP’s journey has passed through different phases of initial work extension,consolidation and role transformation. RLHP is presently working in 8 districts mysore, chamrajnagara, chitradurga, Davanagere, Raichur, Bidar, Gulbarga of south and north Karnataka state ,covering more than 2,65,000 people.Human focused child centered and an integrated community development approach is the hall mark of organization. Projects conducted by RLHP:-

Child Development Programs

1. Rehabilation home for children :-Despite India’s commitment towards eradication of child labor and street children there are reported incidents almost every day,of children being sexually abused,exploited,trafficking which is one of the monstrous evils that need to be eradicated.With an intension to extend a helping hand for the children those who are losing their rights and live in streets.RLHP initiated two rehabilitation homes named Ashakirana (ray of hope) in 1999 for girls .The Aim of this home is to provide a safe and healthy environment for children who are orphans or those who are in difficult circumstances. The integrated rehabilitation care includes food, shelter, lifestyles, education, yoga, meditation, counseling, good, sports computer, cultural activities.
2. Child rights group and federations:-child right group and federation Aim at the total development of the marginalized children from deprived sections.The prime focus was laid on improving the quality of education of children.
3. Regular meetings are conducted to prevent child labor, Child marriage, child abuse, and for improving the quality of education.Encouraging children’s meaningfully participation and providing training on leadership are part of RLHP’s intervention strategies.
4. Childline 1098:- childline. Is functioning 24/7 of 365 days for extending safe and secure environment for children who are in crisis.
5. Literacy Programme Reading for Transformation: – RLHP is initiated school library program in government schools, in both the urban and rural areas of Mysore.The essence is to support teaching. And learning, fostering, Readingculture and lifelong learning .The prime focus was to improve the reading habits of the children and to orient them with the power of knowledge and its relevance in their daily living. Makwana gram sabha aimed at the meaningful and active participation of children at community and school level supplementary education for children, to sustain children interest in education and to prevent drop outstanding child labor Women Development Protecting women from all kinds of exploitation and empowering their life with dignity, respect and equality is one of the primes concern if the existing women groups. DWANI and BELAKU. These initiates to resolve the issue in communities’ .Community based health and sanitation. RHLP tries to keep the environment healthy through nutrition programme, reproductive health care training, and village health and sanitation committee.

Networking

RLHP continues the networking with likeminded organization such as CACL, Mythili, CACT, FEVORD-K etc., actively participating in network meetings at various levels in the state. State level forum and Karnataka manila dowrjanya virodyokkota .This strong collaboration helped the organization to update its self with recent development and changed

CACL:-campaign against child labor
CACT:-campaign against child trafficking
FEVORD-K: – federation of voluntary organization Karnataka MYTHRI:-Mysore NGO network

This visit was very needful, as we got to know that RHLP helps children living in slums to stay healthy and get good education, Keeps away from bad addiction. It helps women to live independently, helping people when natural disaster occurs.