Most migrant worker families in Rajasthan, India, do not send their children to school. The reasons for this range from the social misconception that education is of no use anyway to the economic pressure to increase family income through the children’s work.
They often spend up to 10 months a year travelling through Indian cities in search of paid work and therefore do not enroll their children in state schools, but take them with them, who then grow up in an environment that not only excludes education, but promotes lifelong deprivation through work and servitude.
The aim of the Barefoot College project is to enable 55 girls and boys from marginalized population groups to obtain a formal education each school year through school attendance and local accommodation, thereby improving their future employment opportunities and income situation.
The project works on several levels. In addition to an educational program, they receive quarterly health check-ups, are regularly vaccinated and examined for malnutrition and other health problems and physical damage.
Each time, a general body diagnosis, HB test, and height and weight are performed. Students can be referred to Tilonia dentists for dental treatment. All necessary vaccinations are administered.
A health book is created for each child. All details of the health checks are recorded in it to create a history of each child’s medical checks.
The health program also includes workshops on oral hygiene, menstruation, tobacco chewing, hygiene and mental health.
The International Committee Journalists Help e.V. supported the Barefoot College school project of Friends-for-Hope.e.V. Munich with 750 EUR for the health checkups.

The total estimated monthly cost for the program.
Per Child:

1. Health Check-up Costs: ₹800 annually per child.
2. General Medical Costs: ₹500 annually per child.

Breakdown of Monthly Costs for 50 Students:

1. Health Check-up Costs (Monthly):
₹800 ÷ 12 months × 50 students = ₹3,333.

2. General Medical Costs (Monthly):
₹500 ÷ 12 months × 50 students = ₹2,083.