WHO ARE CARELEAVERS?

Children who are compelled to leave their orphanages post turning 18 years of age (as per government rule). Their journey after leaving the orphanage is often disrupted, unstable, and full of challenges. They do not have basic identity documents which makes it difficult for them to find secure housing. Most of them have not completed their education and are compelled to do odd jobs like labor, guard, etc.

They struggle to cope and are often socially excluded, go through depression and have phases of uncertainty, and unemployment, and do not know whom to depend on. Additionally, they lack access to counseling on mental health, career, guidance, financial literacy, legal guidance, and other resources that can help them succeed.

These factors push careleavers into a life of extreme hardships and poverty. We are amongst the most vulnerable sections of the youth population, but we have immense potential and with little support, we can become resilient and independent citizens, who will not only live a better life with dignity but also give back to society.

WHAT HAPPENS TO THEM AFTER 18 YEARS?

When careleavers turn 18, they are legally considered adults, and are expected to live independently, which can be a daunting and overwhelming experience. Many careleavers experience a range of challenges, such as finding housing, obtaining employment, accessing education and healthcare, and navigating the social welfare system.

One of the key challenges faced by careleavers is housing instability, as they may not have a stable support system to rely on, which can make it difficult to find and maintain affordable housing. Additionally, many careleavers struggle to obtain employment, as they may have limited work experience, education, or job skills. Accessing education and healthcare can also be a challenge for careleavers, as they may not have the financial resources or social support to do so. This can make it difficult for them to pursue higher education or obtain the medical care they need.

In addition to these challenges, careleavers may also experience a range of emotional and psychological difficulties, such as feelings of isolation, loneliness, and low self-esteem. These difficulties can be compounded by the trauma and abuse that many careleavers have experienced in their childhood.

Overall, it is important to understand the challenges faced by careleavers after leaving the CCI, and to advocate for policies and programs that provide support and resources to help them successfully transition to adulthood. These might include programs that provide housing assistance, employment training, education support, and mental health services. By addressing these challenges, we can help careleavers overcome the obstacles they face and lead fulfilling and successful lives.

HOW IT STARTED?

Girish has spent about 10 years of his childhood in an NGO run child care Home in Jaipur. When he turned 18 years old, he had to leave the childcare home and find his own way of living without any family or financial support. He worked as a waiter in a restaurant to fund his living expenses. He also worked in child helpline 1098 for some time and interacted with children of other childcare homes to find out that every Careleavers across Rajasthan and other States of India had the same story of struggle. In the year 2020 during Covid pandemic he supported a few Careleavers who did not have a place to live or source of income. He started networking with other Careleavers who could help or who needed help.

In November 2021, he formally started CLiC to support careLeavers across India. Today we are a team of 5 Careleavers, all aged between 21 -25, working full time for the cause. We are the first non-profit organization incubated at the innovation center of reputed engineering college MNIT, Jaipur and recognised as a start-up with DIPP, Government of India. This is helping us build our confidence at par with other youth of India and feel like a part of Start-up nation. We even have a professional team of mentors who inspire us to have the ‘start-up/entrepreneurial’ mindset and work towards creating a large-scale impact. Currently most of our onsite projects are running within Rajasthan across all 33 districts covering every city/village wherever a childcare home is operational.