Time to move on - Reflecting on 12 years of progress for Dalit children in India

As Children on the Edge steps back from work in Patna, we look back at the achievements made possible by our supporters and the foundation left for the local community.

Since 2014, our Children on the Edge community has stood alongside one of the most marginalised groups in India -  the Musahar Dalit community in Patna. Together, we have worked to address the systemic discrimination and poverty that have affected this community for generations, cutting its children off from education.

Over the last 12 months, we have been working alongside our local partner to overcome internal organisational issues that, sadly, have resulted in us stepping aside for now. We are looking back at over a decade of incredible achievements that your support has made possible, providing the foundations of change for the people who need it most. 

Improving the quality of education

Many children in the Patna slums are excluded from the classroom or face severe discrimination within government schools. Your support helped establish a network of 35 colourful learning centres providing a safe, welcoming environment for over 1,000 children each year.

Through the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) scheme, hundreds of Dalit young people gained the opportunity to earn formal, government-recognised qualifications. This accreditation is a vital bridge into mainstream education and employment. We are pleased to share that our partners are ensuring this programme continues, providing the best possible chance for these children to progress.

The introduction of digital learning brought exciting video lessons to children confined in extremely challenging living environments. By using portable projectors, the centres enjoyed learning adventures from around the world, and connected with friends from other countries through our ‘Moja Kids’ platform. These learning components didn’t just improve literacy; they built a sense of connection and self-worth for children who had often been told they didn’t belong.

A vibrant alumni group, consisting of young people who had graduated from the learning centres, provided living proof that the cycle of discrimination can be broken. Hundreds of young men and women are now pursuing university degrees in Law, Commerce, and Arts, while others have completed vocational training to secure stable jobs in areas that were impossible to access before. Members regularly visited children at the centres to show them how their lives can change through education.

A place of their own

One of the greatest hurdles in Patna was finding stable locations for classes. Because of caste-based prejudice, landlords frequently refused to rent space to the community.

To solve this, thanks to the generosity of a number of supporters, we were able to invest in a permanent, multi-purpose building. This centre remains a lasting resource for the community. It provides a stable, safe space for education and community-wide gathering.

Looking forward

While Children on the Edge is stepping away from the programme for now, the seeds of change are planted. With the permanent building as a base and the Open Schooling programme continuing to run, our dedicated local partners have the tools to rebuild and continue their journey.

To everyone who supported this work over the last 12 years: you have made these achievements possible. You have helped a generation of children move from the fringes of society toward a future of their own making.