Education is the most influential aspect of social transformation. It has been suggested that “Every educational institution from secondary school to university should be developed to become an agent of change”. In the year 1996 our most Rev. Bishop Gregory Karotemprel CMI, the Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Rajkot, initiated Basic Education for Social Transformation [BEST] program with the aim to provide quality education to backward and poor children between the age of 2-15. Through this program, Navjeevan Trust facilitates basic education to deprive children of the villages and slums of Saurashtra and Kutch and also passionately engaged in accomplishing the goal through various activities and different developmental ideas.

A) Balmandal [Children’s Group]:

BalMandal is an organized group of children between the age of 6-15 years, comprising of 15-20 members focusing to inculcate the awareness about rights of children as well as their social responsibilities. Various activities have been arranged in center level & office level in order to help them to become good leaders who would take decisions for their better growth and help other children for their overall growth. At present, there are 365 Balmandals with 6,004 members in 118 villages of Saurashtra and Kutch region.

Balmandal Achievement

B) Balpanchayat [Children’s Parliament]:

Balpanchayat is enlightened to raise awareness like:

• Their rights,
• Eradicate gender discrimination,
• Ensuring quality education for all the children,
• Health, Hygiene & sanitation, 5. Social orthodox such as child marriage, infanticide, dowry, etc. Through Balpanchayat Navjeevan is helping children to become a change agent in communities for social development.

Presently Navjeevan oversees 27 Balpanchayat comprising of 535 students.

Balpanchayat Achievement