![HCL Foundation launches 'Nanhe Parinde'](/images/News/Mobile-Education-Van.jpg)
HCL Foundation (HCLF), the CSR arm of HCL Technologies initiative was flagged off by the Commissioner of Police, Gautam Buddh Nagar – Alok Singh along with his wife Akanksha Singh today on the occasion of U.P. Diwas in the presence of Nidhi Pundhir, Director, HCL Foundation along with Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Member of Parliament from Gautam Buddha Nagar, Pankaj Singh, Member of Legislative Assembly, Noida and Dhirendra Singh, Member of Legislative Assembly, Jewar.
Nanhe Parinde Initiative will function to prevent vulnerable children and youth from slipping into a life of crime– and supports them in discovering their voice and passion. A diverse range of services catering to both academic and physical development will be offered through a carefully designed curriculum.
The HCL Foundation aims to provide children living on streets and working children a safe space where the children will receive alternative education, arts and crafts, training in self-defence, gender and inclusion, co-curricular activities, opportunities for sports and nutrition through five mobile vans which will be launched over three years to reach out to 400 to 500 CIDC (children in difficult circumstances) in GB Nagar and mainstream them into the formal education system.
These mobile education vans will be equipped with modern amenities such as LCD screen, sound systems, CCTV cameras and GPS for safety and security, educational material, first aid box, handwashing station and sanitization facilities. Each van will reach out to 50 to 60 children every day with support from the local police stations at pre-determined spots.
HCLF’s NGO partner, Childhood Enhancement through Training and Action (CHETNA), works for empowerment through education of street-connected children since 2002 and will be responsible for the implementation of the program and will provide a team with a female driver, community mobilizer and educator to run the initiative.