Sixty Child Development Centres are being established in the 2001 earthquake struck regions of Bachau and Rapar, where caste discrimination is a particularly big problem. The Order of Malta German Emergency Coorps (Malteser) supports a three-year project which aims at improving the situation of children who belong to the former so-called ‘untouchable’ caste, the Tribals and Dalit. The marginalized castes are kept away from every aspect of social life because they are considered ‘inferior’.

For 60 villages a preschool teacher will be trained. Every year, 1,500 children from 3 to 6 will attend pre-school preparing them to enter the public school system. Youth groups and cultural events are meant for several hundred children at the age of 7 to 15.

The Child Development Centres will also function as focal points for the marginalized communities.

The project is part of a larger programme to promote the development of the most backward communities in the north of Gujarat.