SAATH’s Balghars were conceived as centers for creative learning for pre-school children. The Balghars adopt the Montessori Method—emphasis is on self-directed activity on the part of the child and observation on the part of the teacher. At the Balghars, teachers adapt the child’s learning environment to his or her developmental level. The Balghars link to and harness the advantages of the integrated ICDS approach.

Seven Balghars reach out to 245 children. A nominal fee is collected to make the students ‘service users’, not beneficiaries of aid. In addition to providing children primary education, they also provide community women with the opportunity to work as teachers. Traditionally unemployed, Balghar teachers become respected professionals in their slum areas. Their income helps their households and they look forward to contributing to their community by teaching the local children.

Your contributions to the Balghars program will help open more centers in new wards and slums in Ahmedabad. Your donations will also be invested in new teaching learning aids and educational materials or to cover faculty salaries and overhead. Some contribution examples are sponsoring a mid-day meal for one year for Rs. 2,100 or tuition expenses for Rs. 1,000.

For more information about the Balghars program, please contact Chinmayi at chinmayi@saath.org.