RLHP is committed to the rights of children: their right to nutritious food, health, education and play as well as their right to opportunities for proper physical, mental, emotional and intellectual growth.

RLHP is also committed to imparting non-formal education and Supplementary Education to the children in the slums, and mainstreaming all slum children.

RLHP strives to give meaning to such underprivileged children through direct education provision and through campaigning (see also the section on street children)

In 1984, the literacy rate of children was just 3% with most of the children going to work. In a bid to ensure child rights to all children, RLHP started Non-Formal Education programme as a strategic intervention till 2000 in 56 slums in Mysore, Mandya and Chamrajnagar districts. This has been very successful in rehabilitating over2500 child labourers till this date. The literacy rate rose from 3% in 1985 to 98% in 2008.

Summer camp and children Mela

Each year, a one-month summer camp for up to 3,000 children is organised. The aim is to prevent children from going back to work during school holidays and to develop children’s potential. The camp includes creative activities such as crafts, art, theatre and song alongside continuing education and skills development.

As a culmination, Children Mela is organised in May for cultural expression of children. An exhibition of the handiwork of the children is also arranged.

Vidyodaya child rights forum for children

The Vidyodaya Child Rights Forum, a network of child rights groups in slums plays positive role for the education and development of children. Strengthening the network of children groups in slums, developing leadership qualities among children and building awareness about child rights and encouraging the children to express their needs before the government have been the guiding principles of the Forum. The Forum supports all children’s programme and contributes to improving the quality of education in slums.

Child Rights Forum (CRF), which evolved out of mass child rights campaign in 100 rural areas of Mysore, Mandya and Chamrajnagar districts of Karnataka is comprised of grassroot level members such as gram panchayat members, anganwadi workers, teachers, self help group women, local leaders and so forth. Right now, the CRF at district and taluk level is functioning with the aim of making rural areas child friendly communities.

Child Rights Resource Centre (CRRC), located in RLHP’s premises, provides backstop support for dissemination and advocacy on child rights issues through publications. Various publications include child rights posters, calendars, stickers, wall writings and ‘Makkala Dwani’ (Child’s Voice), a monthly newsletter in Kannada that is circulated in rural and urban areas. CRRC helps university students, teachers, government officials and activists for updating their knowledge on child rights.