We at Kanasu have finally started putting up this sign to aspiring students. Simply because we lack the time and energy to raise funds and mentor the students at the same time.
A team of three -- with everyone holding down income-earning jobs -- and families to take care of, it has become kinda tough to mentor 40+ students. And boy, they do need mentoring.
N.N. lost his father in early August. His father was a habitual drunkard, not surprising as most of the houses in his village brew some very potent liquor. He beat his wife, threw her out of the house, and finally did himself in. Now that he is gone, his ghost continues to haunt the family. They had to pay the local "shastra"-reader a good sum of money to rid themselves of the ghost. This has left the family deeper in debt. They spent Rs 16,000 + on the death rituals, ghost-busting rituals, and feeding family and friends for the funeral. A collection was taken up, which brought in Rs 4,000 something. They still have Rs 12,000 in loans in the village.
Will N.N. continue studying? Or will he drop out to support his mother and mentally retarded brother and pay back the loans? I really do not know. But H (from Kanasu team) visited the house and handed over a small sum of money. We called several times from Bangalore and spoke with N.N. We asked his peers to talk to him and ensure he continues his education. He promised to return in 3 days and then go back for the 11th day ceremonies. But what actually happened was that he missed 15 days of college, including internals, and then came back.
Every day, we wonder if he is in school or not. If he has cut and run. If he is planning to continue the course or just simply give up... I will never know. We all live on tenterhooks, and will continue to do so all year, I guess.
If each child takes so much time and energy, how do we care for 40 of them?
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