Chauras

Chauras is a program started by IIFL Foundation to provide access to education and learning for the out-of-school children of migrant construction site workers, who migrate from different villages across India to a large booming metropolis to work at construction sites.

Generally, the construction site workers are seen to migrate from one worksite to another, with their families in tow. They reside within a close perimeter of the construction site and as the construction work completes, they move to the next site, which can literally be anywhere in India. Owing to this uncertain migratory nature of their profession, their children are seldom enrolled at a school or receive formal education.

Thus IIFL Foundation ideated ‘Chauras’ - a learning center and crèche facility for the children of migrant construction site workers. The name literally means a square area, signifying that even a small square foot area is enough to educate a child, enrich their minds with knowledge and widen their opportunities in the wider world.

Our first center was started in November 2017 on a construction site in Noida. Rise Builders were kind enough to provide space to IIFL Foundation to start the program for the children of migrant workers, working at their construction site. IIFL Home Finance Ltd. is the financial partner to the construction site and thus is involved in the program as a mentor and supporter.

Chauras operates from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm throughout the week and provides basic functional literacy to children along with nutritional meals throughout the day. The age group spans from the youngest being 3 months old to an adolescent of 14 years of age.

During the Covid-19 lockdown, Chauras regained its operations, observing the safety guidelines issued by the Health Ministry of India to prevent spread of the coronavirus. Health check-ups and vaccinations at periodic intervals were also provided in light of the pandemic.

Prior to Chauras, children would spend their day loitering around the construction site, being exposed to heavy-duty machinery and hazardous material that posed danger to their well-being. At times their parents carried them along to the site, so they could be assured that the children weren’t wandering around in the wrong company or picking up ill habits. Chauras has allowed parents to focus on their work without worrying about their children.

Presently, IIFL Foundation operates Chauras at 2 locations in India – Greater Noida (Uttar Pradesh) and Kamshet (Maharashtra). Children attending Chauras are native to states of Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Orissa, Karnataka & Maharashtra.