The programs of Child Nurture and Relief (CHINAR) go well beyond providing food, shelter and other basic necessities for children in conflict areas - CHINAR also aims to provide them with resources for a stimulating childhood and a peaceful and successful future. The objectives include:

  • Providing orphaned children a loving home and a family instead of an institution.
  • Empowering the children with quality education.
  • Taking care of their psychosocial needs in addition to their survival needs and facilitating their integration into society.
  • Bringing them out of the cycle of violence by emphasizing religious tolerance and peaceful means of conflict resolution.
  • Mobilizing community-level efforts for their welfare.
  • Encouraging them to play a positive role in their communities by participating in volunteer activities.


CHINAR has divided its strategy into three different phases:


(1) Phase I
(2) Phase II
(3) Phase III


Phase I: For this phase CHINAR’s geographical focus is Kashmir, India. There are two main objectives in this phase. The first objective is the successful implementation of the pilot project - a home for a small group of orphaned boys and girls in Srinagar, Kashmir. The other objective is to initiate a comprehensive study on the demographics of the orphan population in Kashmir to ensure optimum and equitable utilization of resources.

Kashmir Background: Kashmir is located in the northern most periphery of the Indian subcontinent. It is a land of pristine lakes and lush meadows that are set against the backdrop of some of the tallest mountains of the world. The cities and towns of this Himalayan jewel exude a medieval charm. Its people are friendly and gracious and its culture exhibits the influence of several religious and philosophical strains that gives Kashmiri culture a rich color of tolerance.
During the last 15 years, Kashmir has been marred by a bloody conflict the cause of which is deeply rooted in the history of the Indian subcontinent. This conflict has taken a heavy toll on the Kashmiri people and the economy of the region which was greatly dependent on tourism. Kashmir has the dubious distinction of having the highest concentration of security forces per capita in the world.


Why Kashmir? The impetus for starting in Kashmir was twofold - the severity of the problem and ease of implementation of the programs. Several board members of CHINAR have an extensive knowledge of the region and its culture and as such were quickly able to establish partnership with a local group, CHINAR-Kashmir, based on common objectives and a congruent vision. The people of CHINAR–Kashmir are experienced, energetic and committed to a results-oriented approach that will ensure a meaningful life for the orphaned children.


The Problem: As is the case with any war, the children have suffered the most during the last 15 years.

  • It is estimated that there are 100,000 orphans in Kashmir, 1 for every 34 adults.
  • Less than 1000 of these orphans are cared for in orphanages or other such facilities.
  • Less than 2000 receive government aid.
  • The annual expenditure of the government for orphan care is about $400,000. This amounts to only $4/orphan/year.

The trauma of violence and the social change that conflict has brought to the region has impacted the children tremendously – orphans being the worst hit. According to two recent studies (Impact of Conflict Situation on Women and Children in Kashmir - Dr. Bashir A. Dabla, Kashmir University, 1999; Women and Children under Armed Conflict in Kashmir - Prof. A. G. Madhosh, NIPCCD 2004 ) some of the most pressing problems for the orphans include:

  • Psychological problems that often result in criminal or violent behavior.
  • Loss of home.
  • High dropout rate from school.
  • Lack of healthcare and problems with immunization.
  • Social downfall.
  • Child labor.
  • Drug abuse
  • Suicidal tendencies


Another study conducted by Save the Children Foundation UK in 2002 revealed that Budgam, the smallest district of Kashmir, has over 19,000 child laborers – some as young as 8 years. Over 65% of the child laborers are orphans.
The community based safety nets are simply not capable of coping with a problem of this magnitude. There is a great need for a sustained and focused effort that has broad reaching goals; programs that ensure a stable environment and at the same time facilitate the psychological and social rehabilitation of the orphans and their successful integration into the society.


The Pilot Project: The pilot project is already underway in Kashmir. This project is being implemented in partnership with our sister organization CHINAR-Kashmir that is working for the welfare of Kashmiri children – especially orphans. CHINAR-Kashmir has rented a house for this project in the Baghat, Srinagar and a group of orphans has already moved into CHINAR home.

  • There are two units in the house and two mothers.
  • Each unit will ultimately have 10 boys and girls- approximately 4-8 years old. The children in each unit are being looked after by a mother who is living in the house full time and is a substitute for the children’s natural parents.
  • The mothers are intelligent, educated, well trained and empowered women who are creating a stable and loving atmosphere within the home and organizing the family’s daily routine.
  • Boys and girls are growing up as brothers and sisters in an environment that fosters camaraderie and a sense of belonging.
  • The children are being educated in quality schools and are provided with the best possible means to become responsible and successful in life.
  • Special care is given to organizing extra-curricular activities that ensure the psychosocial rehabilitation of the children and also provide an enriching environment for their intellectual growth.
  • The children receive weekly psychological counseling from Medicine sans Frontier counselors.
  • CHINAR has a cadre of volunteer doctors who look after the medical needs of these children.
  • There is religious freedom in the house that encourages tolerance and respect for all religious and cultural beliefs.
  • Particular emphasis is given to activities that teach peaceful means of conflict resolution.
  • The local community is being encouraged to become actively involved in the welfare of these children and mentoring and volunteering opportunities are made available.


(2) Phase II: In the second phase of operations CHINAR programs will have a broader scope and will reach out to a larger group of orphaned children. This will be done in several ways:

  • By establishing more homes for double orphans.
  • By starting child-sponsorship programs.
  • By providing skills training to the mothers of single orphans with the objective of empowering the family unit to become self-sufficient.
  • By creating avenues for foster care and adoption.
  • By establishing internships for students that provide learning and volunteer opportunities at CHINAR facilities.
  • By organizing and training social workers to help with the implementation of CHINAR programs.
  • By developing educational infrastructure to facilitate a balanced learning environment.


(3) Phase III: In this phase the goal is to broaden the scope to disadvantaged children in general and also move beyond Kashmir to conflict regions elsewhere in the world.

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