Charity Overview

CINI (Child in Need Institute) Australia is dedicated to supporting vulnerable women and children in India to break free from the cycle of poverty and disadvantage. Working in partnership with grassroots programs on the ground, CINI’s mission is to create long-term change by investing in health, education, and empowerment.

In 2021, their focus was the ‘UJJAN Project’ — an innovative initiative designed to reach adolescents living in one of the most high-risk environments in Kolkata: the city’s red-light district. Here, hundreds of young people face heightened risks of exploitation, abuse, and poverty, with very few opportunities for education or leadership development.

The Challenge

For adolescents growing up in Kolkata’s red-light district, life is shaped by forces beyond their control. Many are the children of women working in the sex trade. These young people face daily exposure to violence, stigma, and exploitation, while being denied opportunities for education, safe healthcare, and personal growth.

The cycle is deeply entrenched: without intervention, girls are at high risk of being trafficked into sex work, while boys face a future of crime, substance abuse, or poverty. Beyond the physical dangers, the environment erodes hope and self-worth, leaving many young people with no vision of a brighter future.

Meridian’s Support

• Year Awarded: 2021
• Grant Amount: $10,000

Meridian’s grant directly funded the UJJAN Project, which identified, educated, and mentored hundreds of adolescents from the red-light area. The program focused on:

• Delivering health education to improve knowledge of personal and reproductive health.
• Building leadership skills to empower young people to become role models within their community.
• Providing education and mentoring to open pathways for future opportunities.

This was not just a program; it was a lifeline — creating safe spaces and nurturing dignity in an environment where both are scarce.
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The Impact

• Hundreds of vulnerable adolescents were reached through the UJJAN Project in its first year.
• Young people acquired critical knowledge around health and wellbeing, leading to improved outcomes for themselves and their peers.
• Leadership mentoring created a ripple effect, as adolescents began to inspire and influence others within their community.
• The project laid the foundation for intergenerational change, giving this generation the tools to break cycles of poverty and exploitation.

Even within its early phase, the UJJAN Project became a beacon of possibility, showing that transformation is possible in even the most entrenched environments.

Looking Forward

CINI continues to grow the UJJAN Project, expanding its reach and refining its model of education and empowerment. By focusing on adolescents — the age group at the greatest crossroads — the project provides the opportunity to re-route lives before destructive cycles take hold.

Meridian’s support has helped demonstrate that targeted interventions can unlock hope and potential in communities too often written off as hopeless. This is the essence of Meridian’s philosophy: turning generosity into transformation that compounds far into the future.

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