How Caritas India’s Khushaal Bachpan Programme Helped Neha Return to School

In the village of Chhadiya, 12-year-old Neha Verma had been absent from her Class 7 classroom for more than a month. Known for her cheerful nature, her sudden absence raised concern among teachers and classmates. Neha’s parents, both persons with disabilities, cared deeply for her but found it difficult to monitor her daily routine consistently. This gap gradually led Neha to wander around the village during school hours, and attending classes soon became irregular.

On 29 September 2025, the Khushaal Bachpan team of Caritas India found Neha playing outside when she should have been in school. When asked why she had stopped attending, she said that she found school uninteresting and preferred roaming around. Her parents expressed that they felt helpless in guiding her back to education. Recognising the seriousness of the situation, the Khushaal Bachpan team immediately raised the matter in the School Management Committee (SMC) training, parents’ meeting, and Community Action Group (CAG) discussions.

Through the Khushaal Bachpan programme, the SMC in Chhadiya had been revived after a long period of inactivity. Members, including retired educationists, school staff, local leaders, and parents, had received training on their roles and responsibilities. Similarly, the Prerna CAG Group of school-going children had been formed to advocate for child rights and support the well-being of all children in the village. Both groups regularly monitored issues affecting children and collaborated to resolve them.

After reviewing Neha’s situation, members of the SMC, CAG, and Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) decided to visit her home. On 7 November 2025, they met with Neha, her parents, and her grandmother. The group spent around 40 to 45 minutes listening to the family’s concerns and encouraging Neha to return to school. They assured her that her challenges were understood and that both the school and community were ready to support her. Neha gradually opened up and shared that she often felt lost in class and did not know whom to ask for help. The team, along with her parents, reassured her that she would not face these difficulties alone.

The following day, a Khushaal Bachpan mentor accompanied Neha to school. Although initially nervous, she regained confidence when she received a warm welcome from her classmates and teachers. Village children who were part of the CAG also encouraged her, helping her feel included and motivated.

Since then, Neha has been attending school regularly. She participates more actively in her lessons and has begun catching up in her studies. Her renewed interest in education reflects the combined efforts of her family, school, and community made possible through the sustained intervention of Caritas India’s Khushaal Bachpan programme.

Neha’s journey demonstrates how coordinated action, community involvement, and timely support can positively change the course of a child’s life. Through initiatives like Khushaal Bachpan, Caritas India continues to strengthen communities so that every child has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.