The space to thrive and grow has arrived for the girls of SBT, featuring a library, improved classrooms - and a roof.
If you’ve been on the SBT City Walk, you would have met one of the young guides. If they were female they would have lived in one of the two SBT homes for girls. One of these is situated in Gurugram, just outside of Delhi, with the main SBT girls’ home in the capital itself being Udaan. A traditional Indian courtyard house in a student area north-west of the centre, Udaan would have been fine for 20 or so girls.
Challenges of the old home Often housing up to 80 girls at one time, there was an acute lack of space and facilities. Challenges for the children included two tiny classrooms, with ten or so desks, which also had to make do as counselling rooms, family meeting rooms, and time-out places. There wasn’t enough space to store the books, blankets, and extra clothes the girls needed. The central area where the girls ate, relaxed, and played was a small open courtyard; without a roof, it was too hot in the summer heat and flooded in the rainy season.
But it was a safe haven. Reasons for girls being cared for by Salaam Baalak Trust include previously living on the streets with their families, being taken away from abuse within a family home, or being saved from trafficking or child-marriage. SBT’s Udaan home offered security, an all-female environment, warm meals, education and a place to be a child again. From the tiny office, the staff led counselling, crafting and reading sessions and arranged access to healthcare and schools for the girls against the backdrop of no space and little privacy. Staff regularly took in more girls than they had space for because there was simply nowhere else for them to go.
Introducing the new home We are delighted to share that the Delhi Metro (DMRC) – who previously built the main boys’ home for SBT – completed the construction and handover of a purpose-built home for girls that is larger and better equipped.
On a large plot and spreading over 3 very spacious floors, the new building has large dormitories and classrooms on separate floors, as well as dedicated spaces for activities; a medical room, a library, a room for children with special educational needs, and even a space for arts rehearsals or performances.
Girls and staff moved into the new DMRC Udaan home in September. When Friends of SBT Trustee Nick visited this Autumn he was full of praise for the new residence saying, "Udaan is the Hindi for 'flight'. The space will give the girls so much opportunity to stretch their wings. The facilities I saw; the dedicated classrooms, large performance area, and library will greatly enhance their ability to learn and flourish." With room to grow to a capacity of up to 100 children, the new building is currently home to around fifty of SBT’s long-term residential girls who are benefitting from an enhanced safe space to thrive in.
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