10 June 2024

To facilitate cross-sharing of program activities between the India and Nepal teams, GoodWeave International (GWI) supported the visit of Nepal team to observe the social programs implemented by GoodWeave Certification Private Limited (GWCPL) India. Executive Director Ms. Samjhana Pradhan and Inspection, Monitoring, and Certification Head Mr. Umesh Kuinkel visited India to learn about the social programs in different regions, including Panipat and Jaipur. 

1. Panipat Visit:   In Panipat, Ms. Pradhan and Mr. Kuinkel visited Motivation and Learning Centers (MLCs) at three Child Friendly Communities (CFCs) located at Jatal Road, Floral Road, and Krishna Gali. Mr. Ajit Roy, a member of the remediation program of GWCPL, coordinated the visit. Key observations and interactions from the visit include: 

CFCs' Impact: The Nepal team observed how the CFCs assist out-of-school children or those at risk of dropping out. The primary focus is on reintegrating these children back into the formal educational system supported by the program. 

Community Demographics: Most communities visited consist of migrant families, predominantly from Muslim castes, engaged in family businesses. 

MLCs' Role: The MLCs which operate after school hours, have significantly helped children adjust to learning and build their confidence. This is one of the most impactful programs run by GWCPL India in these communities. 

Young Workers' Insights: Interactions with young workers provided insights into their willingness to return to school if given the necessary support. Various needs specific to young workers in these communities were discussed. 

2. Jaipur Visit: In Jaipur, Mr. Ram Swaroop Gurjar, Remediation Manager of GWCPL India, coordinated the Nepal team's visit to different communities, including: 

Child Parliament: Interactions with members of the child parliament in the Chack community revealed their experiences in addressing safety and security issues and advocating for their rights. The child parliament is an effective platform for children to address issues concerning them. 

Girls' Group: Interactions with the girls' group highlighted the impact of different modules delivered to them, which have helped build their confidence and empowered them to advocate for change within their families and communities. 

MLCs and Home-Based Workers: Unlike Panipat, Jaipur's MLC children come from home-based worker families. The team also visited home-based workers, gaining a deeper understanding of their working conditions and challenges. 

3. Workshop Participation in Noida:   The Nepal team also participated in a young workers' remediation workshop in Noida with GWCPL India colleagues. During the workshop, both the Nepal and India teams identified challenges in young workers' remediation and discussed possible strategies. Based on these discussions, GWI will develop a detailed remediation strategy to be piloted by both teams. Regular follow-up communication will be conducted to refine the strategy. 

photo credit: © GoodWeave Certification Nepal