Over the past 25 years, Goa has experienced a period of significant growth, particularly in the area of tourism. Along with the opportunities that accompany periods of growth, a number of issues have developed that have negatively impacted on the lives of vulnerable members in local communities.

In particular, the increasing number of migrant workers arriving in Goa looking for new opportunities has resulted in additional pressure on community services and infrastructure, which has, in turn, resulted in increasing levels of poverty and health-related issues. In addition, underprivileged families are struggling to cope with the pressures of adapting to the modern way of living that requires individuals to have a basic education or appropriate industry skills in order to sustain an acceptable standard of living. This has left a large number of families living below the poverty line as they do not have access to the necessary resources and assistance required for them to adequately provide for themselves and escape the poverty cycle.

The regional area of Tivim in north-eastern Goa is an area that is struggling to cope with the effects of poverty within its local communities. Along with other regional areas in Goa, community services within the Tivim area are unable to support the influx of migrant workers and the increasing number of families in need. This, together with limited employment opportunities available to low-skilled workers, means the likelihood of entering a life of poverty is significantly increased.

Inevitably, it is the children in poorer communities that are the most vulnerable to the debilitating effects of poverty. In particular, underprivileged children who are living in regional areas such as Tivim are severely disadvantaged as they do not have access to the facilities and funding that is available to struggling children and
families in major centres in Goa.

In 2009 GVC opened an Early Learning Centre for the underprivileged children and their families in the rural village of Tivim, Goa.