NIJOLOY HOME MADHYAMGRAM

During the financial year 2024–25, Nijoloy provided care, protection, and rehabilitation services to 27 women under the Shakti Sadan Project and 487 girls under the Mission Vatsalya Project. In addition, 8 young women were supported through the After Care & Rehabilitation Project, which focuses on facilitating their transition towards independent and sustainable living.

A significant milestone during the year was the successful marriage of one woman beneficiary, marking a positive step towards her social reintegration and independent future. These outcomes reflect the continued efforts of the Home in promoting rehabilitation, empowerment, and long-term well-being among its residents.

Nijoloy Home provides a safe, structured, and nurturing environment for girls and women aged 4 to 50+ years. Residents follow a well-planned daily routine designed to promote their physical, emotional, educational, and social development. The day begins with morning prayer, physical exercise, and meditation, followed by supervised educational sessions conducted by trained educators.

School-going girls attend formal educational institutions, while other residents participate in a range of developmental and recreational activities, including vocational training, drawing, reading, handwriting practice, and life-skills learning. The daily schedule also includes nutritious meals, academic support, outdoor recreation, and supervised study sessions. Evening activities focus on learning and personal development, after which residents retire to their dormitories under the care and supervision of house mothers, ensuring their safety and well-being.

This structured approach fosters discipline, holistic development, and a sense of community, contributing to the overall rehabilitation and empowerment of the residents.

RESTORATION OF THE GIRL CHILD

During 2024–25, the Government undertook a significant initiative focused on the restoration and rehabilitation of girls residing in Child Care Institutions. As a result, many girls who had been living at the Home for several years were successfully restored to their families or nearest kin following due assessment and rehabilitation procedures.

To strengthen their prospects for independent living, several girls were enrolled in life skills and vocational training programmes under Utkarsh Bangla at Regent Garments, following which they secured employment opportunities. Additionally, five women formerly supported under the Swadhar Greh Project have successfully transitioned to independent living through gainful employment and are currently residing together in rented accommodation arranged by WIF.

The organization continues to maintain regular follow-up and support through ongoing communication with the restored and rehabilitated beneficiaries, ensuring their well-being, safety, and successful social reintegration.

CHILD CARE HOME

The Child Care Home (CCH), located in Salt Lake, Kolkata, is dedicated to the rehabilitation, care, and social reintegration of lost, abandoned, vulnerable, and trafficked girls under the provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act. Through a comprehensive range of services, including education, nutrition, healthcare, counselling, skill development, and livelihood support, the Home seeks to promote the holistic development of every child. CCH provides a safe and nurturing environment for girls who are at risk of trafficking, living in vulnerable circumstances, or have been rescued from exploitation. By equipping them with essential life skills, educational opportunities, and vocational competencies, the Home empowers them to become self-reliant, build confidence, and lead independent and dignified lives.

The Child Care Home (CCH-WIF) is committed to providing comprehensive care and protection services, including safe shelter, education, nutrition, healthcare, counselling, recreation, and vocational skill development for adolescents. These interventions are designed to promote the holistic growth, well-being, and rehabilitation of vulnerable children.

At present, CCH-WIF implements two key programmes: Mission Vatsalya, a Government-supported initiative for the care and protection of girl children, and the After Care & Rehabilitation Project, managed by Women’s Interlink Foundation with support from a partner organisation. While the number of beneficiaries under Mission Vatsalya varies throughout the year, the Home has the capacity to accommodate up to 50 children, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for their care, development, and reintegration.

At present, the After Care & Rehabilitation Project provides long-term residential support to 7 young women with physical and/or intellectual disabilities. As these beneficiaries do not fall under any existing government welfare schemes and lack adequate family support systems, the project plays a critical role in ensuring their care, protection, rehabilitation, and overall well-being. During the year, a total of 153 girls availed shelter, care, and rehabilitation services at the Home. Through its comprehensive support mechanisms, the Home continues to provide a safe and nurturing environment that promotes protection, personal development, and social reintegration for vulnerable girls and young women.

The young women supported under the After Care & Rehabilitation Project have diverse physical and/or intellectual disabilities, making formal education unsuitable for many of them. To promote their development and independence, the Home focuses on vocational skill development and functional literacy through structured training programmes conducted by qualified and experienced trainers. A number of beneficiaries also participate in adult literacy initiatives to enhance their basic educational skills.

Comprehensive care is provided through individualized nutrition plans developed in consultation with doctors and nutritionists, with additional nutritional support extended to those requiring special care. Regular counselling sessions are conducted to address emotional and psychological needs, helping beneficiaries cope with past trauma, stress, and adverse life experiences.

The Home operates vocational units in tie-and-dye, tailoring, and paper bag making, enabling beneficiaries to develop practical skills and produce marketable craft items. Income generated from the sale of these products is deposited directly into the individual savings accounts of the beneficiaries, promoting financial inclusion and self-reliance. In addition, the Skill Development Project supported by partner organization is being implemented at the Home, benefiting 25 children through enhanced livelihood and capacity-building opportunities.

NIJOLOY HOME JALPAIGURI

Nijoloy Home, Jalpaiguri, implements two key programmes: Mission Vatsalya, which provides care and protection to girls below 18 years of age, and Shakti Sadan, which focuses on the prevention of trafficking and the rescue, rehabilitation, and reintegration of women who are victims of trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation. These initiatives are designed to ensure protection, recovery, and sustainable reintegration of vulnerable girls and women into society.

The Home provides a comprehensive range of services, including safe shelter, nutritious food, education, healthcare, counselling, recreation, and vocational skill development. School-going children receive academic support through tutorial classes, while older adolescents participate in vocational training to enhance their employability and self-reliance. Individualized care and counselling are provided to support the physical, emotional, and psychological well-being of residents.

In addition, the Home encourages the holistic development of beneficiaries by nurturing their talents in music, dance, painting, creative writing, and sports. These interventions aim to build self-confidence, promote social inclusion, facilitate successful reintegration into mainstream society, and break the cycle of vulnerability and exploitation. During the year, a total of 263 girls were supported under Mission Vatsalya and 20 women received care and rehabilitation services under the Shakti Sadan Project.