A new dream through education

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Rekha has a new dream today.

The streets of Kolkatta have been her home since birth.  Rekha lived with her parents and two brothers in a small place along the streets.

Her father’s sudden death left the family with loss and a growing uncertainty about survival.

Rekha’s mother worked as a domestic help to provide for the family. Rekha, although a student at the local government school, could not attend school regularly.  Due to the poor economic condition of the family and the lack of motivation to continue her education, Rekha was almost on the verge of dropping out of school.

Through the regular counselling and visits of our staff from the Snehadeep project, Rekha was made to realise the importance of going to school. To help her study better, she was enrolled at a local boarding school till she completed the IV standard.

That was four years ago.

Today, Rekha now continues her education from home. She is now in the 8th standard. “I learnt a lot about health and hygiene in school,” she says. Rekha is also good in sports and is a talented dancer.

Her mother works as a domestic help in a few houses. She also runs a shop making chapattis (Indian bread). Through this income, they have now been able to a small hut from the streets.

“We now have a safe place to live. I did not think it was possible for me to study till 8th standard.  Now, I want to help many other children like me,” she adds.

World Vision India’s Snehadeep project works among children and families living on the street of Kolkata. Snehadeep project was started in the year 1996. The project works among 16 streets of Kolkata through 4 program centres conducting non-formal education (NFE) and coaching classes. At the NFE centre, the children who have never been to school and the dropouts are taught the basics of education. This helps them join regular schools for a formal education. They are also given life skills and moral education.

Many children like Rekha now have the chance to a better future through support from Snehadeep project.

The mothers of these children are also assisted through economic development programme to enable them to earn a better livelihood.

The children are also taught vocational skills like tailoring, weaving and knitting.

Snehadeep project continues to bring the light of love and hope in the lives of many children living in the streets of Kolkata.