Preventing Risk of Family Separation through Family Strengthening

Background

In Andora village of District Anantnag, Uzair, a four-year-old boy, lived with his parents and four siblings – 7 years old, 9 years old, 14 years and 15 years old – in challenging living conditions of poverty, poor housing, and lack of basic amenities. The family lived in a small single room dwelling on the first floor, below which lied a cowshed on the ground floor exposing the family to unhygienic conditions. Uzair suffers from 80% cerebral palsy, and his treatment is an additional expense to family’s limited incomes. Family was planning to send the elder sibling, Iqbal (15 years), to live with maternal uncle in another village, 10 kms away, owing to limited housing space at their own home as well as financial challenges in meeting basic expenses.

Interventions

A detailed assessment was done to implement a Case Management Approach. Housing emerged as a primary need. An application was filed to the Block Development Office for sanctioning assistance to the family under PMAY. An amount of INR 150000 was sanctioned to the family enabling them to construct a new pakka house with adequate space for the family. As the housing issues resolved, the family decided against sending Uzair’s elder brother to live with maternal uncle, thereby, preventing his family separation.

Advocacy was also taken with a local J&K Bank which runs a government supported RSETI skill development programme. Uzair’s mother was trained on mushroom cultivation under this skill development programme. Two weeks training was given to a group of women locally in the village. J&K Bank will also sanction INR 15000 per participant as a seed money to purchase raw material to initiate mushroom cultivation at home. This will enhance livelihood options for the family. 

The ongoing mental health support to the family provided by HUF helped in building their resilience. Uzair has also been linked with a local NGO which is providing INR 1000 per month from April 2024 onwards, and this support will continue for a year.

The CPGs and HUF team also facilitated submission of application of Uzair to District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) for sponsorship under Mission Vatsalya. DCPU has already conveyed to produce him before Child Welfare Committee for their recommendation for sanctioning sponsorship to him

Outcome

The linkages with the government schemes strengthened family capacity resulting in prevention of family separation and improvements in living conditions for Uzair and his siblings. They will grow up together in their own warm family environment.