Wednesday, December 17, 2003

Poverty in Mumbai

El-Shaddai children's homes 11/12/03

 

We go straight to the El-Shaddai school (see entry below) at 11am to meet the head teacher Julia, and the volunteer curriculum co-ordinator, UK trained Shermina. There are 4 homes run by El-Shaddai, with over 300 children - not all are from Goa, but all are either from the slums, from the streets or are from broken homes. We learn some of the stories that bring the children to El-Shaddai: like the 5 year old who is sent by his parents on his own to the tourist beaches to beg and whom on arriving has no knowledge of how to get home or where home actually is...

The children are taught by Indian staff outside of the state system in their own rented building, the youngest in the morning, the oldest in the afternoon. The rooms are brightly coloured but very cramped. Shermina has just introduced a new timetable balancing traditional teaching styles and more progressive 'fun' methods; state education in India is said to be a long way behind that found in the UK and a more informal approach certainly lends itself to the school's context. They have a computer room with a small number of well specified machines.

The children are immaculately turned out in their uniforms and really well behaved. The school, called Shantiniketan or Center of Peace is non-denominational and whilst reference is made to God during assembly, it is done so in a way that respects the variety of faiths demonstrated by the children.

We spend a little while in an English class for the oldest children, introducing ourselves and then answering their questions - Karen at the children's request even sings the first line of the national anthem!

We then visit one of the homes. Again we are really struck by the loving and appreciative atmosphere in the homes: to think that they once lived on the streets or in slums is real testimony to the work done here...quite incredible. The home, like the children, is immaculately presented and the children themselves share in the house work. We sit down and have lunch with the children, enjoying their company and chatting to another UK volunteer.

We hand over the teaching resources that we have been carrying to the school - they are very pleased to receive them and we resolve to send more. They are also planning to build an eco-village in which to house the older children and Karen agrees to send emails to some UK contacts to inquire about getting help to achieve this. It is impossible not to be amazed by what El-Shaddai has achieved. Website details below gives more details on the project and on other ways it is possible to contribute to the project including sponsorship or even volunteering to come out and teach here or work in the homes.

Click:http://www.elshaddaigoa.com

Anjuna flea market