In India, millions of people annually flee and seek refuge in the outskirts of cities to perform precarious jobs, often in construction or domestic work. These slums face numerous health, hygiene, water, and safety issues.

Since 2006, Action Education has been providing basic education to 1,626 families in the southern part of the country. School centers have been set up at workplaces, and the curriculum has been aligned with the official program so that children can integrate into public schools in the future.

Parents are sensitized to the importance of education, especially the education of girls, with the help of cultural events such as dance, theater, and dialogue sessions.

Puspanjali Mirdha, 9 years old, reports:

"I left school in the first grade to accompany my parents who migrated from Kendumudi to Chennai. They had to pay off their debt of 18,000 rupees and find work. While they manufactured 1200 and 1500 bricks for 250 rupees per day, I worked 14 hours a day pouring and drying the bricks. I got boils on my legs. My education and health were a big question mark... Then the new school center opened and gave me the opportunity of my life! I had a condensed program and extracurricular activities. Then I could take my exam at the workplace and received the state certificate. The health center took care of me and I became healthy. Today I am back in my village school, in second grade, and have already made new friends."

Puspanjali now wants to become a teacher and motivate migrant children to continue their regular school attendance.

Women in India:

With the help of Action Education, five centers for women's education were established as early as 2011.

Ashu and Banu were able to participate in the program. For them, it means hope, finally bringing a change in their lives.

Banu:

"My parents were so poor that I had no choice but to work in the sex trade to support my family."

The same goes for Ashu. She also works in this dangerous trade. But the lack of education and marginalization in society prevent her from changing her life.

With the help of Action Education, 75 women who were involved in prostitution received professional training.