Project Lal Batti
Children who spend significant time around traffic signals, flyovers and other informal public spaces may face multiple barriers to education, safety and stable learning opportunities. Project Lal Batti was developed to create a regular space for learning, interaction and positive engagement for children in these settings, including children engaged in begging. The programme operated every Saturday and Sunday, bringing together a class teacher and Save The Quest volunteers to conduct free educational sessions. Children received access to learning and play materials, while sessions focused on foundational learning, communication, general awareness and everyday social skills.
Creating Regular Opportunities for Learning
Project Lal Batti dedicated weekends to creating structured learning opportunities for children who spent time around traffic signals and flyovers.
Every Saturday and Sunday, a class teacher and Save The Quest volunteers conducted sessions that provided children with a consistent space to learn, communicate, participate and interact in a supportive environment.
The programme aimed to introduce greater regularity into learning for children whose circumstances could make participation in conventional schooling difficult.
Learning Through Reading and Communication
The programme incorporated a range of foundational and developmental learning areas, including:
- General knowledge
- Reading
- Speaking
- Everyday communication
- Etiquette and social interaction
Children also received guidance on everyday behaviours and interactions, including appropriate ways of communicating, sitting, moving, eating and engaging with others.
This combination of academic and practical learning sought to support not only knowledge development but also children's confidence, communication abilities and social participation.
Learning and Play Materials
Project Lal Batti provided children with free educational and play materials as part of the programme.
Access to such materials helped create opportunities for both structured learning and recreational engagement during the weekend sessions.
The inclusion of play recognised the importance of participation, interaction, creativity and recreation in children's overall development.
Teachers and Volunteers Working Together
A class teacher and STQ volunteers worked together to conduct the Saturday and Sunday sessions.
The teacher provided educational guidance, while volunteers contributed to lessons, activities, conversations and individual engagement with children.
This collaborative approach combined teaching support with community volunteering, enabling the programme to maintain regular engagement while responding to the needs of children participating in the sessions.
A Child-Centred Weekend Learning Programme
Project Lal Batti brought together:
- Regular Saturday and Sunday sessions
- A dedicated class teacher
- Volunteer participation
- Free educational support
- Learning and play materials
- Foundational academic learning
- Communication and social skills
- General awareness and everyday guidance
At its core, the programme sought to create a consistent and supportive learning space for children living or spending significant time in vulnerable urban environments.
By bringing education and engagement closer to where children were, Project Lal Batti aimed to reduce barriers to learning, encourage positive participation and create pathways towards greater educational inclusion and social development.
OUR PARTNERSCollaborating to Build Inclusive and Sustainable Communities
Meaningful social change is achieved through collective action. Save The Quest works in partnership with corporate CSR initiatives, government institutions, educational institutions, civil society organisations and community stakeholders to expand access to education, accessibility and inclusive development across India.
