Child Nurture and Relief (CHINAR).

Concern for children impacted by the violent conflict in Kashmir Valley, especially the need to mainstream and reintegrate orphans in the society was uppermost for a group of Kashmiri citizens. Some of them were based in the US. To address the gaps and address their concerns, they came up with the idea of starting a home for children who had lost their parents or fathers during the conflict. “Children often become vulnerable and tend towards violence when they do not have options or choices. We wanted to provide that safe space wherein children could grow up normally, make choices and become empowered citizens,” says one of the founders.

CHINAR Home became functional in 2002. Today it has 20 children from different and remote villages of Kashmir Valley. Aged between six and 12 years, they go to reputed neighborhood schools, have access to sports facilities and computers. They also participate in workshops which help them to heal, learn new talents and express themselves freely to become empowered citizens. These empowered spaces will also ensure and promote religious diversity by allowing children from other faiths and communities to come and interact with the children in CHINAR Home who as of now are all Muslims.

CHINAR hopes to introduce a new concept called ‘Remote Sponsorship’ for scores of other children who have no agency to represent them or their issues. The idea is also to spread the concept of inclusive integration over a larger geographical terrain in the Valley.

Along with reaching out to the orphans, destitute and marginalised children, CHINAR as part of their larger goal of peacebuilding, which includes empowering people socially and economically in a holistic way, has several more ideas which they aim to implement in a phased way. The project will include women for micro-finance, enhance local skill and generate revenue for sustainable holistic development.

CHINAR’s core principles are:

1. Financial and Organisational Transparency.
2. Unconditional Donations.
3. Religious Tolerance.
4. Quality Care.
5. Empowered Mothers.
6. Societal Integration.