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Children and Volunteers On this page and the ones linked to it, a volunteer introduces the children they engage with, along with themselves. Click on any link to read all that they have to say.
Shubhangi Swarup on Guru, Bharat, Parshya, Sona, Rani and Chanda: Among the many things that strike me about ‘our’ children (I say my children because they call me their didi, and call me whenever in trouble) is the strong bond between siblings. Older siblings are more often surrogate parents to the younger ones, bringing in maturity beyond their years. The younger siblings, protected, cared for and doted upon. Click to read more... Shubhangi.htmlshapeimage_5_link_0
Taha Jodiawala on Raju Mishra: Rahul is an 18 year old boy, ran away from his home in Calcutta, when he was 16. Currently working in a restaurant at VT, he comes regularly to learn English. He is very ambitious and wants to make it big, and believes it is all impossible if one doesn’t speak English. Click here to read more... Taha.htmlshapeimage_6_link_0
Neha Trivedi on Babloo Run away from Nanded to escape his family condition, Babloo is the ‘Dada’ (bully) in the group of Churchgate kids. Fairly literate, he knows who the president, vice- president of the country are. But he also thinks Hitler was a person who loved painting and shot at people when he was angry. And aspires to be like him. Click here to read more... Neha.htmlshapeimage_7_link_0
Nupur Shah on Vikas and Lata Vikas and Lata are right now suffering from chronic malaria, and Kajal has just recovered from dysentery, after we took her to Cama Hospital. With the help of Dr. Rajiv Shukla, Vikas and Lata are being treated free of cost. Dupar Didi is what Vikas calls me as he often runs up to me, holds my hand and pulls me to the class. Lata is big bully and there was a time when the class could not end until I had read a story out to her. Click here to read more... Nupur.htmlshapeimage_8_link_0
Sunanda Swarup on her Overall Experience: Telling stories and teaching the children is therapeutic. I enjoy being with the children, sharing their joys and sorrows, and giggling and laughing at their jokes. We have a good time sharing anecdotes of the day, such as their details at school, and selling gajras and balloons in the evening. Their mothers come in too and proudly watch over their children being taught. Some mothers have specific requests to help out with Mathematics and English – things which most street children find difficult. We discuss health problems with them and offer tips on daily healthcare and nutrition. For major problems we’ve even referred them to Cama hospital. Click here to read more... Sunanda.htmlshapeimage_9_link_0
Shubhra Swarup on Ajey, Ankit, Koel and Rohit: These are the four children of a family from Kathiawad. They sell flowers at a traffic signal in Churchgate. The first thing you’ll notice about the family is how small they all are, short to be precise. The parents have a desperate concern for their children, a desperate fear that their children will end up on the streets again. The mother is ambitious and enthusiastic and the father lets her call the shots, there is a humble wisdom in him which makes him trust her decisions. Click here to read more... Shubhra.htmlshapeimage_10_link_0