At Miracle Foundation India, as we strive towards enabling children to stay with their families and reach their full potential, we honor the incredible social workforce that makes it all possible! This month, we celebrate the efforts and achievements of Jayant Jathade from Gadchiroli, Maharashtra.
Since 2019, Jayant has been working as a Social Worker at the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) in Gadchiroli, committed to ensuring the well-being of children. Following Jayant’s association as a Master Trainer with Miracle Foundation India in 2020, through training on the importance of strengthening families and ensuring family-based care for children, Jayant further deepened his understanding on child protection.
His efforts subsequently focused on strengthening the understanding of the staff of Child Care Institutions (CCIs) and helping them see the value of reintegrating children into families. Initially, there was hesitation among some staff due to concerns about job security, but with Jayant’s continued guidance, they gradually embraced the importance of family-based care.
Gadchiroli district has hilly terrain, and the villages are located remotely, making it difficult for families to access government schemes. Nevertheless, Jayant and his team work diligently to connect families and children with crucial social protection schemes such as the Bal Sangopan Yojana which provides ₹2,100 per month to children from vulnerable communities, and the Sanjay Gandhi Niradhar Yojana which provides ₹1,500 per month to single, widowed and destitute women.
In Gadchiroli, the predominantly Adivasi community faces challenges such as malnutrition, early pregnancies, unhygienic delivery practices, and high rates of maternal and child mortality. To tackle these issues, Jayant held a meeting with the concerned district-level government functionaries. It was thereafter decided to organize a capacity-building workshop for related stakeholders on child protection laws, such as the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015; The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006; and The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986. The workshop brought together over 300 participants, including teachers, village heads and government officials. This initiative was in fact so successful that it led to the creation of a WhatsApp group where stakeholders could regularly discuss child-related issues, facilitating quick interventions and solutions.
Despite the district’s remote location and limited resources, Jayant and his team’s efforts resulted in a significant increase in child protection cases being addressed. His commitment to family strengthening continues to make a transformative impact on the lives of children in Gadchiroli.
Looking ahead, Jayant seeks to further advance collaborative efforts, including training and facilitating exposure visits for police and government officials to enhance their sensitivity towards children’s welfare.
A big shout-out today to Jayant!
