1. A Journey of Change
Gujarat Jan Jagran Sangh (GJJS)
Barda Sanctuary, Porbandar (Gujarat)

2. Barda Sanctuary area
Just 15 kms from Porbandar, in the Barda Sanctuary
area, live a pastoral tribe called the Maldharis.

3. They live in settlements called “nesses”
and most often have no electricity or
running water.

4. When the Barda area was declared a
sanctuary, the Maldharis were left
without proper rehabilitation.

5. Their lives were devoid of basic rights,
and living conditions, deplorable.

6. They could no longer rear
cattle in the forest.

7. But moving out of the jungle meant
losing their only source of livelihood.

8. “Even though we don’t have any facilities
here, at least we can graze our cattle. If
we move outside, how will we survive.”
- Laxmi Ben, aged 75 years

9. Most Maldhari children spend their time
helping parents, grazing livestock and
playing rather than going to school.

10. The adults feel their children make good
helping hands. There is almost 100% incidence
of child labour and 50% child marriage.

11. Basic supplies are hard to come by. The nearest
Public Distribution System centre is 5 kms away,
accessible only to those with ration cards.

12. Almost everyday, the Maldharis have
to walk through rough terrain to sell
their produce or get daily needs.

13. They sometimes have to walk 1.5 kms
to fetch drinking water or drink from
puddles and dug wells, which often
cause illness.

14. Even basic health care is a strenuous walk away.
Camels are used to reach the nearest Public Health
Centre (PHC) and in severe cases, a cot is carried by
four people to transport patients.

15. Introducing change
Landlessness and a lack of livelihood are the main causes for severe
deprivation of rights. Over the years, this has made the Maldharis
incapable of voicing their opinions and rebuilding their lives.
CRY joined hands with GJJS (Gujarat Jan Jagran Sangh) — a local
NGO operating in the area, to introduce change and help the
Maldharis become self-reliant.

16. CRY’s Role
Identifying the project area
Identifying a locally operating NGO – GJJS
Providing funding and resources to GJJS
Chalking out a definite program to tackle the root causes of
the problems that affect the Maldharis
Training GJJS project staff and volunteers
Overseeing and reviewing the progress to measure efficacy

17. Since 2008, CRY in partnership with GJJS, has
addressed the many causes that affect children and
their rights, bringing about significant change.

18. The first step was to bring the Maldharis
together through community meetings
and make them aware about rights.

19. There has been 100% registration of births
in 10 nesses, and 155 enrollments for the
Integrated Child Development Scheme.

20. All 500 people living within the Bandna Ness
have been issued Caste Cards which entitle them
to subsidies, loans, health care and scholarships.

21. “We did not have access to schools when we
lived in the forest. But now, we want to
educate our children.”
- Raghav Bhai, aged 59 years

22. There has been a significant change in the mind set of
the Maldharis too. Lakhu Ben wants to educate her
children to give them a better future.

23. Free from child labour, children now go to
non-formal education centres and schools.

24. Baghi Ben stopped working three years
ago to study instead. She loves school
and aspires to be a teacher someday.

25. Bal Sanghaks (children’s groups) hold regular gatherings
that bring children together to play, make music, discuss
problems, and go on educational tours too.

26. 15 year old Bal Sanghak Leader, Bharat,
monitors attendance and convinces
parents to send their children to school.

27. Nirupa Ben has been teaching at Kapori Ness
for the last 2 years. The school offers mid day
meals, and hasn’t had a drop out in 2 years.

28. Better facilities have ensured
quality education for the children too.

29. A Public Health Centre (PHC) established
in Bhileshwar caters to 15 nesses. It offers
immunisation, vaccinations against polio
and the deadly disease filaria.

30. It has 5 female health workers and a
mobile team that reaches out to nesses
that are not in the vicinity.

31. Milestones so far
Since 2008, CRY and GJJS have helped the Maldharis in many ways.
Having acquired a basic national identity, the
Maldharis are now aware of the benefits they
are entitled to.
The tribe has begun to value education for
children and there has been an increase in
attendance at schools.
Better health care facilities for women and
children have ensured overall health and
wellness for all.

32. “The impact that we have made in our
area should be spread to Maldharis
across the entire area. They are entitled
to equal rights too.”
- CRY partner(GJJS)

33. What lies ahead
Consistent interventions have impacted 32 nesses around the periphery of the
area. However, 32 more nesses that lie in the interior regions of the sanctuary
need help. They require:
At least 30 more schools as per the govt. general rule, apart from the 4 that exist
Mid day meals for all schools
Anganwadis (child and mother care centres)
Better roads and transportation facilities
Visiting doctors to all 64 villages

34. Several communities like the Maldharis, suffer conditions that
force their children to live a life devoid of basic rights.
Join us, and help them live, learn, play and grow to the fullest.

35. Donate | Volunteer | Spread the word
To know more visit www.cry.org or email us at webinfo@crymail.org
CRY wishes to thank Kaushal Parikh for volunteering his time and services to shoot the GJJS project.