A Beacon of Hope: The Role of the Child-Friendly Space (CFS)
A Child-Friendly Space Revives Learning After Kosi River Floods
The 2024 Kosi River floods devastated Belagonth village in Bihar, washing away the primary school and leaving children with no access to education. Fear, anxiety, and learning loss loomed large.
But the "Bal Sajah sah Manosamajik Sambal Kendra" – a Child-Friendly Space (CFS) set up by UNICEF's partner, GPSVS is no less than a beacon of hope for the children. In a small community hall, 82 children, many from marginalized communities, now gather daily to learn and have fun. We were scared after the floods.
“The school was gone, recalls 10-year-old Kari Sada. "But here, we play, learn, and feel happy again."
The CFS, staffed by local volunteer Gayatri Devi, provides a safe space for learning, play, and emotional support. Children engage in games, learn numbers and letters, and express themselves through art. They enjoy singing traditional folk songs and drawing colorful pictures of their village.
"My child is happy here," says Samtoliya Manjhi, a local parent. "He's learning and playing with friends. I want to thank GPSVS and UNICEF for giving him this much-needed opportunity." Local Mukhia, (elected representative) of Dubiyahi Panchayat, Ramanand Yadav, is quite happy with the opening of the centre and wants it to continue till schooling services are fully restored.
This CFS model, a collaboration between the community, the local government, and UNICEF, demonstrates the power of collective action in ensuring children's well-being and continued learning even in the face of adversity.
