Gowainghat Area Program

The rural Gowainghat community is home to more than 287,000 people, many of whom are children. Most families depend on farming and fishing for income, but natural disasters like flash floods, drought, and heavy rains disrupt these activities. The gap between the rich and poor has continued to grow, since many parents can only find work seasonally and are limited by their environment and education. Thousands of people find work collecting stone from local quarries- including children.

Students often drop out of school to support their families, sometimes acting as the primary breadwinner. Not only does child labour deprive children of their education, but it also puts them at risk for exploitation and abuse. Girls from families in the deepest poverty are particularly vulnerable, as they're often forced to leave school to get married. Women and ethnic minority groups are often marginalized in the community.

Livelihoods
The lack of gainful employment in Gowainghat is a serious issue for children and their families. Many parents try to earn an income from farming, however they lack information and tools to improve their harvests. Many don't have water to irrigate their crops or enough money to invest in proper machinery and equipment. Natural disasters such as flash floods and drought become unmanageable without the right resources, causing income to plummet.

Many parents had to drop out of school at a young age, sacrificing their education for work. As adults, few have had opportunities for vocational job training and cannot add to or refine their skills to seek new careers. Women are especially limited in their attempts to secure work and are often underpaid for their labour.

Health
Families don't have access to good health care in Gowainghat. Young mothers are often malnourished, even before their children are born. Babies are also underweight and struggle to thrive. Gaps in information and lack of access to health services means that mothers aren't trained in proper feeding practices or how to create balanced diets. Low family income also makes securing meals a challenge.

Child Protection & Participation
Low family income means parents in Gowainghat often cannot afford school fees, forcing students to leave school for work. Some children support a large family themselves, including their parents, many of whom are unemployed due to sickness or disability. A high dropout rate means that many people are illiterate. Children lack opportunities to rest or play, and there are few recreational spaces available in the community.

Early marriage is a common issue for many girls. Large families in poverty will often accept suitors, primarily to guarantee food, shelter, and a better future for their daughters. However, this practice removes girls from school and can lead to teenage pregnancy and poor health. Both boys and girls are often voiceless and unaware of their rights, leaving them vulnerable at home and in the community.

Water, Sanitation & Hygiene
Families do not practice safe hygiene and sanitation. Many homes lack clean, safe drinking water or the money and space for a proper latrine. As a result, many must use outdoor resources, which make them vulnerable to disease. There is little awareness and information available to families on good personal hygiene.

Livelihoods
To ensure parents in Gowainghat can provide for their families, World Vision will partner with the community to:

• Improve production by training farmers in updated techniques and support them with improved resources.
• Open up local markets by identifying opportunities and linking them to community members.
• Increase the number of savings groups and improve families access to financial services.
• Increase the number of women who have access to income-generating activities, as well as access to loans.

Health
With the partnership of Canadian sponsors and the community, World Vision will work to:

• Train mothers and caregivers in improved health and nutrition practices.
• Improve availability of healthy food, especially for vulnerable families.
• Strengthen government clinics with improved services and updated training for staff.

Child Protection & Participation
To ensure children and youth enjoy a safe and protected environment, World Vision will work to:

• Educate children on their rights and equip them with skills to protect themselves and their peers.
• Promote children's rights among community leaders, teachers, and parents to ensure that children are safe.
• Engage boys and girls in children's groups to share information and provide a safe space to socialize.
• Support youth with advocacy education and empower them to speak up for their own rights.

Water, Sanitation & Hygiene
In partnership with families and sponsors, World Vision will work with the community to:

• Increase families access to clean, safe drinking water and promote proper hygiene and sanitation habits.