Santulan

It has evolved an innovative educational programme called Pashan Shala, providing access to education for hard-to-reach children and child labourers in the stone quarry sector. The programme started in Pune in 1997 with 119 children and has since expanded to neighbouring districts, covering 20 districts in Maharashtra and promoting education for 29,036 children. The Pashan Shala initiative includes 36 Bal Pashan Shalas for children aged 3 to 5, with 701 students, and 126 Pashan Shalas for children aged 6 to 14, with 2,826 students studying from 1st to 8th grade.

It has established Residential Education Centres to support orphaned and destitute children who are forced into hazardous mining work at a young age due to poverty. The centres provide food, accommodation, education, and medical assistance for these vulnerable children. Additionally, a collaboration with Pune Municipal Corporation led to the initiation of "Gharata" (nest), a shelter and educational centre for street children in 2008. Over 224 children were admitted to Gharata, with many being resettled with their parents, while around 50 to 60 children receive care, including food, shelter, education, and healthcare until the age of 14.

It launched micro healthcare initiatives to address the hazardous living and working conditions in the stone quarry sector. Santulan introduced First Aid Boxes in Pashan Shala centres, providing basic medical support and promoting health awareness. Monthly check-ups, health camps, and awareness meetings on issues like HIV/AIDS, cancer, and silicosis were organised for workers and women. Health camps on AIDS, alcoholism, and superstitious beliefs led to improved health practices among workers. Nurses provided health services and facilitated hospital visits for workers in need of medical attention. The further focus remains on addressing health challenges for women, children, and workers associated with stone quarry occupations.

It initiated a 'Mid-Day Meal' programme in 2001 for children from the stone quarry community suffering from undernourishment. A trained chef was appointed in each stone quarry unit to prepare nutritious meals from Monday to Saturday, leading to significant improvements in the children's health. They experienced growth in weight and height, reduced sickness, improved attendance, and better progress in both academics and sports.

Under its youth development programme, the organisation focuses on empowering stone quarry youth and adolescent girls, who often face limited opportunities and exposure to education and skills training. The programme includes vocational courses like tailoring and other skills training, benefiting over 277 adolescents and 50 youth so far. Santulan also conducts awareness camps and seminars to impart knowledge, promote ideologies, and nurture leadership qualities among the youth in the stone quarry community. The organisation aims to address the lack of resources and initiate vocational training centres, with a priority on establishing a tailoring skills training centre for girls to tackle the challenges they face.