A Ray of Hope
When little Kiran (8 years) came to our Beacon Learning Centre to be a part of our education program, little did she know that this would be her first step to education not only for herself, but also for her siblings Rizwan (now 7 years) and Shahnawaz (now 6 years).
Kiran’s father, Shoukat* (30 years), is a daily wage worker and has no history of education. Her mother Soumyai (25 years) studied upto class VII. Education was not a priority for the family in the midst of the tension and turmoil of living in a slum community. Nevertheless, Kiran’s step into Vision Rescue’s education program turned things around for the entire family.
In June 2019 the Community Champions of Vision Rescue identified that the family needed help. The tension in the family was high then, thanks to the issues of addiction to alcohol and gutka, domestic disputes and the parents’ unreliable work patterns as daily wage labourers.
Like many other migrants, Shoukat’s family came from Darbhanga district in Bihar, to find work in Mumbai, 30 years ago. After 15 years of living in the Raey Road slums in south Mumbai, circumstances forced them to move up north-east to a slum community in M-east Ward – Mumbai’s poorest Ward with the lowest human development indices in the city.
The family lives in a rented ‘pakka’ (concrete) house. Yet we all know that no matter how concrete a house is in an illegal slum, there is always the fear of it being demolished at anytime and the uncertainty of having to move again. Though the house had electricity and a gas connection they were unable to pay the rent regularly due to inadequate finances.
This added to the stress in the family. There was also constant bickering with relatives living nearby. The age gap between Kiran and her siblings was just one to two years apart, so the mother was unable to work outside the home, and contribute to the family’s finances as she had to be home to look after the children.
Amidst these tensions, education of the children took a backseat. However, just when it was the right age for Kiran to begin her journey in education, she was introduced to Vision Rescue’s Beacon Learning Centre Education Program, organised right within her slum community. Once she got started there was no turning back.
Kiran was 5 years old when enrolled in Junior K.G at Vision Rescue’s Beacon Learning Centre. Today she’s 8 years old and is studying in our Open Based Education – Year 2. While Kiran learnt many new things in our informal learning centre, her mother also learnt many new things through Vision Rescues community activities.
Through the awareness programmes she was made aware of Women and Child Rights and legal action to be taken in case of violence and abuse. The mother was also part of our medical and dental awareness camps. The family was also receiving ration and nutrition facilities provided by Vision Rescue.
These facilities were of benefit to the family during the pandemic. Even during the lockdown, Vision Rescue’s work continued in the community and a year later her siblings too got enrolled in age appropriate classes at the Beacon Learning Centre.
As children progressed in education and their other basic needs were being met we witnessed attitudinal changes were taking place in the family. The mother’s empowerment met with the fathers change in mindset. His attitude towards his wife and children improved; the fights in the family reduced and so did the stress and turmoil.
During these four years, Kiran’s health and weight started improving. “Her brother who was always sad and missed our classes often has been attending regularly now, after repeated home visits and counselling,” said Kiran’s Community Case Counsellor.
Moving Ahead
Kiran is now prepared for formal schooling. She’s interested in studies and says that her favourite subject is ‘drawing.’ Red is her favourite colour to colour drawings with. She likes to sing, recite poems and also likes to read. Her teacher says that her handwriting is neat and clean, just like she is now. She is a punctual and an active child.
When asked what she wants to be when she grows up, Kiran says she wants to be a teacher. Her brother Rizwan, now in Senior KG says he dreams of being a ‘soldier’ and Shahnawaz who is in Junior K.G. wants to be a ‘policeman.’
It is thanks to your consistent support and encouragement, dear donors, that these three children can pursue their dreams for the future without having to turn back.
Like Kiran and her family there are hundreds of other children in this community who are beneficiaries of your generosity. While the children are engaged and sustained in education, the entire family and community is supported through the various programs Vision Rescue offers. From food supplies, to nutrition, medical and dental care, legal awareness and information about daily life and living, your donations help us provide a host of support services that ensure our children sustain in education.
We believe that once the family is strongly supported from all dimensions, the focus on the child’s education becomes stronger. Education is then a strong stepping stone that leads to intergenerational transformation. Just like Kiran and her siblings, many other children in this slum community have found a ray of hope toward a brighter future.
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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.
You too can partner with Vision Rescue to empower people to find their purpose, enjoy their rights and live with dignity
Join us as a volunteer – www.visionrescue.co.in/volunteer
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