India

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Violent conflicts between religious groups, the prevalence of child labor and lack of quality education accessible to all are some of the region's most challenging issues.

About India

Since independence from Britain in 1947, large-scale rioting among major Indian religious communities has occurred throughout the country. Local peace efforts have focused on easing the tension between Hindu, Muslim and Christian communities.

Child labor, especially in the northern part of India, has become an accepted practice. Extreme poverty has forced millions of children under the age of 14 to work in factories. Their wages are used to supplement family incomes. Often working in deplorable conditions, these non-school going children endure difficult lives.

Keeping poor children in school and improving the infrastructure of schools in rural areas is a primary goal of the Indian government and local community leaders. With the help of Play for Peace and other partner organizations, many first-generation learners now receive a formal education and dropout rates have been reduced.