The Hokey Pokey

I entitled this article "The Hokey Pokey" because it describes, 'what it is all about'. Yesterday I went the slums of Ahmedabad to visit the Hamare Bachche Program which means "Our Children".

In 2002 a group of about 500 Muslims attacked a train car carrying Hindu pilgrims here in Ahmedabad. 58 men, women, and Children were killed. This caused such an outrage that between February and May of 2002, officials estimate that over 1,000 people (predominantly Muslims) were killed (Although some estimates range as high as 2,000). The result was that many husbands and fathers were killed leaving many Shantibens (Widows) without a husband, although it is important to note that the women are not called widows and the translation of 'Shanti' means 'Women in Peace' and 'ben' means 'Sister', and children without a father. Also the families were left without a primary wage earner forcing some to relocate to lesser conditions and some children to have to work as young as 10 forgoing their education of course.

So yesterday I went and visited many of these families to deliver checks to them from funds that had been raised by 1Well and its amazing donor base. These funds pay for all aspects of a child's education. I will give you one example of the many I encountered yesterday.

Shakiliben is 30 years old. She has 3 children; Farhana, 18, Ilran, 16, and Irzwan, 13. Their father was killed in the riots forcing Shakiliben to work in a fabric factory for 50 Rupees a day or one dollar a day. Her daughter, Farhana is too old to attend any school other than college which they simply cannot afford so she rolls incense sticks everyday for 10 Rupees a day. All together that means that this household of four survives on 1,800 rupees per month. Now subtract the 1,000 Rupees for rent each month and the 800 (16 dollars) does not go so far for food and clothing, much less the 2,500 Rupees/year for Irzwan's school or the 10,000 Rupees/year for Ilrfan's hostel which feeds, shelters, and educates him or for Faarhana's medical expenses for her stomach condition. In fact Ilrfan,up until SEWA and 1Well became involved, would go to school from 7-12 and then go to work the rest of the day to help supply income to his family. He told me that he wants to go to technical school and become a computer programmer.

These children are made fun of by their peers for not having the same uniforms, lunch boxes, or even a slate board which they all are required to have. The teachers publicly chastise the children in front of their peers and in one case a nine year old girl was made to stand out in the sun everyday for an hour for fifteen days for non-payment of fees. In case you have not seen my blog before the heat index can reach up to 130 degrees. So this work being done by SEWA and 1Well is absolutely essential to ensure that all children have an equal chance to succeed . Yesterday I was able to witness that chance being given to Shakiliben and her family and that is what it is all about.