Vafi* knows no other world than the one confined within the slum communities of Mumbai. Every breath he takes is filled with their tiny home’s stale, musty air. Their room is dark and dingy, and the walls press in on all sides, creating a sense of suffocation and confinement. Here, space is a luxury, and safety is a distant dream.
Nearly half (49%) of the urban population in India resided in slum communities in 2020, where rat infestations pose significant health risks.1 One such community is where Vafi and his family live. Countless rodents scurry through the narrow alleys, their sharp eyes sparkling in the darkness as they search for food. And where there is food, there are rats.
As Vafi sat down to eat with his two siblings, the rats, too, were feasting on their plates. His mother was unaware of the potential health risks the rats could cause, so she didn’t chase them away. The presence of rats can lead to the transmission of various diseases through their droppings, urine, and bites, posing a serious health risk. However, it’s not just the rats that threaten his family; living near a drainage area poses health risks, as stagnant water can breed bacteria and parasites.
Vafi’s little sister is the first victim of this silent invasion, her frail body succumbing to illness every 15 days. Her recurring health struggles burden the family, pushing them further into financial uncertainty as they try to cover the costs of her medical care.
Vafi’s family is struggling to overcome the constant burden of poverty. Despite his father’s tireless efforts as a daily wage labourer, their income is barely enough to provide food for the family. To supplement their earnings, Vafi’s mother takes on extra work at home, creating decorative latkans (hanging tassels). Every day is a struggle, especially with the added responsibility of taking care of Vafi’s little sister, who often falls sick.
It wasn’t until the intervention of our Community Case Counsellor (CCC) that the family’s plight came to light. Worried about the unsanitary living conditions of Vafi and his siblings, the CCC took action by educating their mother about the dangers posed by the rats infesting their home. The CCC has even highlighted the detrimental effects it had on her children’s health.
After gaining knowledge and understanding, she promised to protect her family from these dangers. Vafi’s mother took quick action by obtaining rat-killing medicine, which effectively eliminated the numerous rats from their home. Vafi and his family could finally rest easy, knowing they were no longer at risk of disease or danger from the pesky rodents. They felt relieved as their home was now free from rodents and they could finally relax.
When CCC returned for a second visit, she was pleased to find no rats in the house, reflecting the positive impact of the intervention. Also, Vafi’s younger sister’s health showed signs of improvement, underscoring the connection between a clean environment and overall well-being. Despite improvement, difficulties remain. Insufficient resources, ongoing financial struggles, and the ever-present risk of sickness all continue to pose significant obstacles.
As the family made changes to their hygiene practices, they also desired their children to receive an education and achieve greatness. In 2023, Vafi got enrolled into Nursery at the Beacon Learning Center (BLC), thanks to support from our CCC and the Champion. Before this, his family couldn’t afford to send him to school, and he didn’t know how to write or recognize numbers, or even recite poems. At BLC, Vafi found a place to learn and grow. With the help of caring teachers, he gained new skills and confidence. He loved attending school, excelled in his studies, and made new friends.
Vafi was happy to receive our School Starter Kit at the beginning of the year and a lunch box filled to the brim with nutritious food daily. He has completed all his medical assessments and dental screenings with our teams after joining us. Thanks to you, dear donors that we can make all these provisions to sustain children in education, with the help of your donations.
During a CCC visit, Vafi’s mother shared their financial struggles. The CCC encouraged her to join a vocational mehendi course. Vafi’s mother completed the course and received her certificate. She stated, “This course has given me a new skill that can help me earn money to support my children’s education and future.”
Vafi dreams of becoming a police officer, and we at Vision Rescue are committed to enrolling him in a formal school within two years, supporting his dreams with teaching courses and extra classes for holistic development. Vafi’s parents were filled with immense joy to witness positive changes in their child’s life. His older brother has successfully transitioned to Grade 1 and is currently studying at BMC. His younger sibling will soon join BLC too!
How beautiful to witness the entire family being empowered and empowering others by their example.
There are many others in the slum community like Vafi who have many siblings, and their families find it difficult to prioritize the education of all of them amidst their acute poverty. Thank you once again, dear donors, we have not only been able to engage and sustain Vafi in education but also help the family attain a right to a dignified life through love!
*Names Changed to Protect Privacy
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Vision Rescue exists to rescue children from all forms of exploitation by engaging and sustaining them in education. We are a registered NGO for child education under the Bombay Public Trust Act 1950.
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