New Chances-Café, Krishnarajapura
With the “100 Aker Woods Café”, we want to create a place of refuge and a springboard to generate employment opportunities for young adults. Designed as a social enterprise, the café will not only generate income and create new training opportunities for young adults, but also create added value for the entire community.
Projectbackground
With around 1.46 billion inhabitants, India has the largest population in the world. In the last 40 years in particular, a strong population growth has been observed, with the number of inhabitants almost doubling. Around 25% of Indians are under the age of 15. This demographic development holds great potential for economic growth. However, in order to exploit this potential, more education and employment opportunities are needed. Although India is undoubtedly one of the economic up-and-comers, the growing middle and upper classes still have to contend with the highest number of absolute poverty in the world.
Access to formal employment is particularly difficult for children and women outside the urban centers. On the one hand, around ten million young Indians enter the labor market every year, which can hardly create this number of new jobs, especially in rural areas. On the other hand, women in particular are prevented from taking up employment due to traditional gender roles and discrimination in public life
In the shadow of the historic gold mines lie the Kolar Gold Fields (KGF), which were once considered the world’s gold mines. Today, the area is dominated by environmental degradation, unemployment and extremely difficult living conditions – especially for young people. Over 30,000 people commute more than four hours a day to Bangalore to find their daily wage opportunities. These are often day labor jobs or jobs that are very poorly paid. Young adults from the slums face a limited future, characterized by a lack of opportunities, insignificant jobs and a dangerous path to addiction (especially alcohol). All of this impairs their development potential and makes it impossible for the kids to break the cycle of poverty.
Target group
Young graduates and the local community
And here are some of the people who will benefit from your donation!
Sumitra
Sumitra lives with her husband and two daughters in modest circumstances. Her husband is disabled, and although the family could use financial support, it is not forthcoming. Sumitra works on construction sites in the nearby city, but the jobs are irregular. The heavy physical labor takes its toll on her, and it is becoming increasingly difficult for her to manage the household finances.
The 100 Aker Woods Café offers Sumitra a new perspective. There she will be supported to develop creative skills. With a little luck, she will be able to work as a maker of clay jewelry in the future – a job that is less physically demanding and provides her with a more secure income.
Rahul
Rahul lost his parents at an early age in a rickshaw accident and has since grown up in a children’s home. He completed school and a technical training program at our “Holistic School, Krishnapuram” project. However, due to his language problems, he finds it difficult to settle into many work environments, which often makes him feel insecure. A gentle introduction at 100 Aker Woods Café, in an environment where he is treated with respect and trust, could give him the opportunity to develop his skills and gain more self-confidence.
Charan
Charan, an 11-year-old boy, lives in a children’s home and attends the 5th grade of the “Holistic School, Krishnapuram” project. His father died of alcohol poisoning, and his mother, who works in construction, has to take care of him alone. She often experiences ridicule and exclusion. Charan bears severe emotional scars, especially because of the memories of his aggressive father.
However, with therapy, he is gradually working through his painful memories. This therapeutic support should help him develop resilience and build healthy coping mechanisms for the future. In the long term, the café’s income will be used to finance therapeutic measures that will enable children like Charan to find a healthy path into the future.
Help people like Sumitra with your donation!
With your support, we would like to construct the building for the 100 Aker Woods Cafe and equip it with the necessary furniture and materials
