Esther Benjamin Memorial Foundation works in two thematic areas. The two thematic areas are i) Prevention and (ii) Cure. In prevention part, the activities EBMF does are Infrastructure Development of School, Education and Bursary Support, Teachers’ Training, Model Classroom Setup, Anti-trafficking activities, Income Generation Activities and Mid-day Meal Programme. In cure part EBMF mainly does Rescue, Reintegration, Child Care Home and Youth Transition Programme.
PREVENTION
Infrastructure Development of School
With a view to create better learning space and child friendly environment in schools, EBMF has been carrying out school reconstruction project in a participatory approach by engaging community people to improve rural community schools of Makwanpur through financial and technical support to improve and construct classrooms, school toilet, roofing, drinking water, compound wall and class rooms. EBMF has also supported in reconstruction of 40 community schools damaged by the massive earthquake in Makawanpur district.
Education and Bursary Support
EBMF provides scholastic and bursary support to the students of community schools of Makwanpur district. There are more than 600 students of five Gaupalika and one sub-metropolitan city. The support covers enrolment fees, stationery, uniforms and others. The support items are distributed in each school in presence of School Management Committee members, Head Teacher and representative from EBMF.
Teachers’ Training
The EBMF in partnership with the District Education Office of Makwanpur district conducts teachers training to the teachers selected from the project implementing schools in Makawanpur district to enhance teaching knowledge and skills.
Model Classroom Setup
Mid-day Meal Programme
Mid-day meal programme is one of the highly effective activities in the programme that plays vital role for increasing enrolment and reducing dropout of the children. This initiative also intends to provide some food for those children who do not have sufficient food to have in the morning as well as in the evening.
Anti-Trafficking Programme
CURE
Research
Research- EBMF conducts surveys for children from our target group around Kathmandu, with a focus on those working in different hotels and metal workshops. These surveys are helpful in identifying the magnitude of child engagement and the best way to rescue children from the risky jobs.
Rescue
Rescue- EBMF in collaboration with local administration and media rescues children from their working places and gives protection by accommodating them in a transit home for some time before they are reintegrated to their family or transferred to the care home for long term care and protection. This process includes counseling to children after they are brought to the transit home.
Transit Home (Safe Home)
Reintegration
Re-unification with support- EBMF advocates and supports for reintegration of the rescued children to their family, to ensure further well-being of the children and re-establish their relationship with their family and society.
Child Care Home
Youth Transition Programme
EBMF with a purpose to develop the entrepreneurial and labor skills of the youths brought up at its care homes delivers vocational training and other capacity building activities which match with the educational competencies and interest of the school passed out youths