CWS
In 1994 Douglas Maclagan, founder and Operations Director of CWS (Child Welfare Scheme) came to Nepal with a plan: to set up two Day-Care Health Centres in remote mountain villages. He then set off to sell this idea in Hong Kong and London, and found the necessary funds to achieve his aims: to address the unnecessary suffering of children in Nepal.
Since its registration in 1997 in the UK and Nepal, and Hong Kong in 2003, CWS has grown substantially. Based in Pokhara, CWS has implemented water and cooking stove projects, built 13 Day-Care Health Centres, established the Asha Health Services, which includes a specialised primary health centre services for children called Asha Clinic, has held Mobile Clinics that reach out to many of the slum areas in and around Pokhara, and has established a Safer Motherhood Programme. CWS has also set up the JYOTI Vocational Training Centre and JYOTI Street Project providing children with necessary protection to their child rights.
JYOTI aims to reduce poverty and social exclusion by providing vocational training, education, psycho-social support and care to those vulnerable groups of young people (aged 15-20) who have been marginalized for various reasons. Today JYOTI is sanctuary to 120 lively adolescence and provides an appropriate, safe and nurturing environment. It is anticipated that the two year vocational training courses and social support will enable them to re-integrate back into society, seeking employment, overcoming social stigmatization, gaining self confidence and moving successfully into adulthood.
Many young people in Nepal, having very few opportunities, try to escape social and economical problems and often end up living on the streets, are exploited as a child labour, or get trafficked. Established in 2004, the JYOTI Street Project works with over 200 street children in Pokhara each month. Since its establishment, the project has continually adapted to meet the children’s changing needs. Beginning through street-based outreach work the project now includes a contact centre, night shelter, community kitchen, newspaper and even a bank. The project reaches over 95% of children and young people living on the street in Pokhara For further information about CWS, Asha Health Services and the Jyoti Projects please visit our website www.cwsuk.org