Project Name: Koshish
Initiated by: TISS
TISS (Tata Institute of Social Sciences) initiated the project ‘KOSHISH’ to reach out to homeless and destitute children in Mumbai, India to provide social inclusion through ICT. Koshish identifies the government departments like Police, Department of Law and Judiciary, etc., responsible for rehabilitation of these under underprivileged community to prevent their criminalisation.
The project assists the victims of BPBA, 1959 (Bombay Prevention of Begging Act), which treats beggary and homelessness as criminal offence to re-integrate into regular society. It is done by understanding their socio-economic, cultural and psychological structure of the destitute community. Empowerment of the target minorities was done by issuing birth certificates, toilet pass, ration cards and health facilities were provided through networking with G.T Hospital, St. George Hospital, Cama Hospital and J.J. Hospital.
The project addresses to the need of the poor and homeless children by providing employment opportunities, bringing them into the mainstream of the society and ensuring entitlements. In order to avoid beggary and unlawful activities, various daily skill based trainings were provided such as tailoring, electrical and wiring, jewelry making, candle making, etc. Regular sessions on personality development, confidence building and leadership skills were conducted for their social inclusion. The project implements ICT tools in creating awareness and building linkage between the destitute and social mainstream.