Balbhawan is unique models of social change for children living in the slums. In the spate of unabated urbanization, Balbhawans are part of a significant movement in India. At present there are 31 slums in Ahmednagar out of which 17 are the declared (certified) ones. Out of the total population of about 4.20 lakhs of the city, nearly 72000 people are slum dwellers. Snehalaya runs Balbhawan in community halls of slums in Sanjay Nagar, Dashrathnagar, Mukund Nagar, Ramwadi, Bharaskar Nagar and Borkar Nagar. Activities such as playgroup education, tuitions for older children, health check-up camps, creating awareness about communal harmony, good health, cleanliness, consequences of bad habits and addictions and against child marriages are conducted at the Bal Bhawans by Snehalaya. Almost 900 children are receiving primary education in this way. Children at these centers are provided with adequate recreation with education that stimulates their minds and helps develop their personalities in a favorable manner. These centers are well equipped with televisions, invertors, audio-visual and other educational equipment. Snehalaya has also formed four Women's Self Help Groups (Mahila Bachat Gat) in these areas to help women become financially independent and rescue their poor families from the clutches of unauthorized moneylenders.
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