Mumbai: Malabar Group is expanding its Micro Learning Centres (MLCs)
to additional states and regions as part of its ongoing efforts to rehabilitate
street children and enable their return to formal education. The initiative
focuses on providing basic learning support and structured care to children who
are out of school due to social and economic challenges, with the objective of
reintegrating them into mainstream education.
As part of this expansion, a week-long training programme for State
and Zonal Coordinators and volunteers leading the MLCs is currently underway at
the Malabar Group Headquarters in Kuttikkattur, Kozhikode. The programme brings
together domain experts and field teams to develop a structured roadmap for
scaling the MLC model to new locations and strengthening operational
effectiveness across existing centres.
The Micro Learning Centres operate under Malabar Group’s flagship
social initiative, Hunger Free World, which aims to address hunger and
educational deprivation among vulnerable communities. Through this programme,
children living on the streets, engaged in forced labour, or who have dropped
out of school are provided with nutritious meals, basic education and support
to re-enter formal schooling, along with rehabilitation and social integration
assistance.
Currently, 1,534 Micro Learning Centres are operational across 18
states, supporting over 64,000 children, primarily in urban slum areas.
According to UNICEF estimates, nearly 20 million children in India live on the
streets, with over 80 percent residing in urban centres, highlighting the need
for sustained intervention in densely populated cities.
Commenting on the expansion, Mr. M.P. Ahammad, Chairman, Malabar
Group, said:
“Through our work with Micro Learning Centres, we have seen first-hand the
harsh realities faced by children living on the streets. Expanding this
initiative to more regions is part of our responsibility to ensure that
vulnerable children have access to food, education and a path back into
society. We firmly believe that business must play an active role in creating
long-term social impact, and we will continue to strengthen our efforts in this
direction.”
Since its inception, Malabar Group has committed five percent of its
profits towards social responsibility initiatives. Under the Hunger Free
World programme, the Group currently provides daily meals to over 115,000
beneficiaries in India, Zambia and Ethiopia. In addition, the Grandma Home
project offers shelter and care to underprivileged and destitute women, ensuring
safe accommodation and essential facilities.
Malabar Group’s CSR focus areas include women empowerment, health,
education and environmental sustainability. To date, the Group has invested
over Rs. 376 crore in social development programmes, positively impacting the
lives of more than 1.8 million people.