Jeevodaya in Sanskrit means "Rising Life". It determines that even in the most difficult of circumstances, grim situations every life has the right to prosper, blossom to its highest potential.
Approximately 20-25 children in the age group of 6 -18 years are intercepted by Samyog outreach team at Railway platforms of Itarsi every day.
Jeevodaya uses a 3 pronged approach in providing a holistic 360 degree solution to the child.
The seed of Jeevodaya was laid in 1999 in Madhya Pradesh, at Itarsi railway station which is one of the biggest railway junctions of India with more than 158 trains passing daily to different parts of our country. No train in India comes without children, who would have an easy access to travel without ticket and earn a minimum of Rs 100 for their livelihood by begging, sweeping in the trains or selling edibles.
Jeevodaya had a humble beginning with no place, but a group of 90 to 100 children both boys and girls between the age of 5 to 18 who due to the hostile living environment developed a defensive survival mechanism, unapologetic and abusive. The society may name them as an anti-social but, they were the same children whose innocence and childhood was marred by discrimination, victimization by the society itself.
Sr. Clara (Sisters of St. Joseph of Chambery) brought together these children under one umbrella, since there was no Government system in place for the protection and rehabilitation of these children, which in turn sent a shock wave to the railway authority and the passengers who were amazed and intrigued with the improving living conditions of the children who were now trying to learn, read and recite poem, read newspaper and started to keep themselves clean, organizing themselves for their daily chores including cooking food, earning their daily living, and also towards saving money.
WE NEED VOLUNTEERS!
Whichever skills you posses, Put them into action! For individuals; who wish to bring a change in society.
Every five minutes a child arrives alone at a railway station, usually escaping abuse of some sort. You can help put railway children back on track.