Most of the students supported by Kanasu Trust come from tribal communities. As indigenous people living in forest areas, they have little notion of "personal", and everything is usually shared by all. No child goes hungry, as long as there is a grain of food in the hamlet. How do we balance this notion of extended "family", within the modern notions of savings?
N has been in Bangalore for more than three years. Working his way up from office boy, doing his BCom by correspondence. In this time, he has helped S, his younger sister who had recently dropped out of school, to resume her studies. S is now doing her 10th. B, another younger sister who had dropped out many years back, is also with him now in the city, working and earning a living. In this, he has had our help, and that of his younger brother.
However, his savings in this time is nil. Every couple of months, his parents visit him and take away all his cash. He is earning a decent income now, and should start saving, but his father fell down and hurt himself. He rushed home, and gave them all he had. Then, his uncle fell sick, so he took a loan and gave them money. Subsequently, another relative needed money, and he took his sister's earnings to help them out. And so, the story goes on...
How now, do we balance his community's notion of "us" against his own need to "save" for the uncertain future in the big bad city?
-- Budget a certain amount for "family" and "extended family", and save the rest?
-- Take away his entire income so that he actually has nothing left to help them?
Ideas welcome!
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Thursday, September 22, 2011
A handful of rice
When we finally arrived at the farms, it was past eight in the morning. We were all thankful for the sleep we had managed to catch at the village on the way, as we were fresh and ready for the day ahead instead of being sleepy and weary.
Immediately as we arrived, I was struck by the beauty of Hastur. Hastur means "the town of elephants" though it was hardly a rough settlement of a dozen mud huts in the middle of the thick jungle full of the magnificent pachyderms. Since nobody knew Hastur too well, H and his friends always said they were from Ponnachi, a village nearby, not too far from the famous Hogenakkal falls. Neither Ponnachi nor Hastur can be found on Google maps, something I had given up on after we left from our overnight stay at Hanur village. H's house was at one corner of the settlement, and from his house we could easily walk around some other houses and straight into his fields.
It was a very cool, cloudy morning, with a fairly persistent breeze that the others felt was very cold. Our car driver was immediately impressed by the weather, commenting that it was almost like Mysore. Almost all the others asked me if I needed something extra to wear, but I was more than comfortable in my t-shirt and trousers. There was a certain openness and airiness about the place that seemed to give me freedom. Once we walked out into H's seemingly-freshly-tilled fields, the smell of the earth combined with the coolness of the breeze and the absolute lush greenery around me seemed to call to me to bring out my inner boyhood, to start singing Pacchai nirame and to allow them to know me at my least guarded. But I told myself that I was there to vet H's grand business plan, and not on an impromptu holiday. He showed us his fields, his open boundaries that always welcomed wild hogs and elephants and other animals to come and destroy his crop, and even took us on a short walk along the elephant track, something the young lawyer Nanja was reluctant to do, especially after we saw fresh-looking elephant dung right at the start of the trail. Along the rest of the one-metre-wide track we saw bear droppings, lots of elephant dung and also heard some shrieking and whistling from nearby slopes to signal elephants approaching. After a point we decided to return - H and the gang felt it was either too boring or that we were actually close to wild elephants; I'll never know which - and we were back at the hut in about an hour. The trek was definitely worth it and the weather was straight out of my description of heaven. A spot of rain and it would have been early English summer. The place was pristine and unspoilt and very raw. I still had doubts about his plans but all along, H kept a reverent eye on me as if to suggest that one's guest is one's God, like the old Indian saying goes (Athithee Devo Bhava).
Even before I entered H's house I knew that there were several challenges facing his grand business plan. There was no easy way of driving up to his fields as there were no concrete roads in from the highway. There was no electricity in the whole area. There was no running water. Most people in the village did not have footwear. There were no basic necessities available nearby - vegetables and other provisions had to be purchased on foot by the settlers from nearby areas/markets on a regular basis. Even the farming was totally manual - a couple of the families didn't even have oxen, instead making their children stand on the plough for weight. To ask for anything else was simply too much. I had seen such conditions before, especially in the last few years, but my daily life is so far removed from these realities that it always has a deep impact on me. Across India, hundreds of millions of people live in such conditions, often justifying their plight to themselves as sins of a past birth, an unknown debt that one can only pay by spending subsequent births in penury and hardship. Since Hinduism believes in rebirth and the cycle of life, the story ends happily as one eventually repents sufficiently for one's sins, to be born into a comfortable situation once again.
In spite of the poverty, the hospitality in H's house was five-star. Only the driver and myself entered. We were welcomed in and made to sit on the only cot in the house, located in the only room in the house (the only other room was the kitchen next door, where hot idlis were being cooked for me). On the wall were photos of his father, who had passed away a few years ago after a life of trying to make ends meet, and his brother, who had been killed in a fight with some nearby hooligans a couple of years ago. The story of his death made me sad. The family had so many other troubles that they did not even pursue the police case for too long.
H's mother looked thin and worn out for her age. She could not have been very old - H is my age. But she smiled honestly and seemed happy to receive me and cook for me. Her idlis were a little bit hard but quite hot and tasty and the chutney was genuinely good. "Hallina thindi, saar" (a village breakfast, sir), H kept saying, with a self-deprecating smile on his face. I finished off six idlis in a jiffy and the driver seemed even hungrier than me, making our hosts very happy. When we finished, they themselves took our plates away for washing (In India, washing used cutlery is considered a menial chore). After we finished, I noticed that H wasn't eating idlis. He had traveled with us and had to be extremely hungry by now. And that's when I discovered that he was eating ragi (finger millet). Though very healthy, socially Ragi is a far inferior food to rice and was grown cheaply and locally. In his house, he said, my idlis were the first rice-based item in about a month.
I used all my courage to not allow my tears to well up. A handful of rice meant the world to this family. And they had used it for me. It didn't matter how poor they were. It didn't matter how uneducated and under-privileged they were. In their hearts, they had shown themselves to be bigger than the largest mountain. A handful of rice often teaches you more than a bank-full of notes.
I thank N for allowing me to post this
Immediately as we arrived, I was struck by the beauty of Hastur. Hastur means "the town of elephants" though it was hardly a rough settlement of a dozen mud huts in the middle of the thick jungle full of the magnificent pachyderms. Since nobody knew Hastur too well, H and his friends always said they were from Ponnachi, a village nearby, not too far from the famous Hogenakkal falls. Neither Ponnachi nor Hastur can be found on Google maps, something I had given up on after we left from our overnight stay at Hanur village. H's house was at one corner of the settlement, and from his house we could easily walk around some other houses and straight into his fields.
It was a very cool, cloudy morning, with a fairly persistent breeze that the others felt was very cold. Our car driver was immediately impressed by the weather, commenting that it was almost like Mysore. Almost all the others asked me if I needed something extra to wear, but I was more than comfortable in my t-shirt and trousers. There was a certain openness and airiness about the place that seemed to give me freedom. Once we walked out into H's seemingly-freshly-tilled fields, the smell of the earth combined with the coolness of the breeze and the absolute lush greenery around me seemed to call to me to bring out my inner boyhood, to start singing Pacchai nirame and to allow them to know me at my least guarded. But I told myself that I was there to vet H's grand business plan, and not on an impromptu holiday. He showed us his fields, his open boundaries that always welcomed wild hogs and elephants and other animals to come and destroy his crop, and even took us on a short walk along the elephant track, something the young lawyer Nanja was reluctant to do, especially after we saw fresh-looking elephant dung right at the start of the trail. Along the rest of the one-metre-wide track we saw bear droppings, lots of elephant dung and also heard some shrieking and whistling from nearby slopes to signal elephants approaching. After a point we decided to return - H and the gang felt it was either too boring or that we were actually close to wild elephants; I'll never know which - and we were back at the hut in about an hour. The trek was definitely worth it and the weather was straight out of my description of heaven. A spot of rain and it would have been early English summer. The place was pristine and unspoilt and very raw. I still had doubts about his plans but all along, H kept a reverent eye on me as if to suggest that one's guest is one's God, like the old Indian saying goes (Athithee Devo Bhava).
Even before I entered H's house I knew that there were several challenges facing his grand business plan. There was no easy way of driving up to his fields as there were no concrete roads in from the highway. There was no electricity in the whole area. There was no running water. Most people in the village did not have footwear. There were no basic necessities available nearby - vegetables and other provisions had to be purchased on foot by the settlers from nearby areas/markets on a regular basis. Even the farming was totally manual - a couple of the families didn't even have oxen, instead making their children stand on the plough for weight. To ask for anything else was simply too much. I had seen such conditions before, especially in the last few years, but my daily life is so far removed from these realities that it always has a deep impact on me. Across India, hundreds of millions of people live in such conditions, often justifying their plight to themselves as sins of a past birth, an unknown debt that one can only pay by spending subsequent births in penury and hardship. Since Hinduism believes in rebirth and the cycle of life, the story ends happily as one eventually repents sufficiently for one's sins, to be born into a comfortable situation once again.
In spite of the poverty, the hospitality in H's house was five-star. Only the driver and myself entered. We were welcomed in and made to sit on the only cot in the house, located in the only room in the house (the only other room was the kitchen next door, where hot idlis were being cooked for me). On the wall were photos of his father, who had passed away a few years ago after a life of trying to make ends meet, and his brother, who had been killed in a fight with some nearby hooligans a couple of years ago. The story of his death made me sad. The family had so many other troubles that they did not even pursue the police case for too long.
H's mother looked thin and worn out for her age. She could not have been very old - H is my age. But she smiled honestly and seemed happy to receive me and cook for me. Her idlis were a little bit hard but quite hot and tasty and the chutney was genuinely good. "Hallina thindi, saar" (a village breakfast, sir), H kept saying, with a self-deprecating smile on his face. I finished off six idlis in a jiffy and the driver seemed even hungrier than me, making our hosts very happy. When we finished, they themselves took our plates away for washing (In India, washing used cutlery is considered a menial chore). After we finished, I noticed that H wasn't eating idlis. He had traveled with us and had to be extremely hungry by now. And that's when I discovered that he was eating ragi (finger millet). Though very healthy, socially Ragi is a far inferior food to rice and was grown cheaply and locally. In his house, he said, my idlis were the first rice-based item in about a month.
I used all my courage to not allow my tears to well up. A handful of rice meant the world to this family. And they had used it for me. It didn't matter how poor they were. It didn't matter how uneducated and under-privileged they were. In their hearts, they had shown themselves to be bigger than the largest mountain. A handful of rice often teaches you more than a bank-full of notes.
I thank N for allowing me to post this
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Updates 2012 - Kavya
Kavya was a bubbly happy little girl. She loved studying and did well at school. Then her father passed away. Her illiterate mother was left alone to care for four children and one grandparent. There was little food in the house and everyone grew thinner. But Kavya wanted to study, she wanted an English medium school, she wanted a better future for herself.
So we brought Kavya to Bangalore and placed her in an institution for girls outside Bangalore city. She was very unhappy there. She was homesick and wanted to return home. We took her back home and admitted her into an English medium school in Hanur, the town closest to her village. The school was expensive for her mother, so we paid the fees. She liked the school, but the hostel was not very good. A government-run hostel, some students were hand picked to help the staff. She was among them. She hardly got any time to study. In two years, her grades fell, her morale sank and she lost interest in her studies. Her response to any question, however kind, was tears.
From a bubbly happy positive little girl, she had changed into a teary preteen. It was time for change. This year, we brought her back to Bangalore and admitted her into an institution that offers boarding and education to girls from poor families.
Now the tears are dry. But whether she can cope with her studies in Std 8 after 5 years of Kannada medium and 2 years of working in a hostel, I am not sure.
P.S. A vote of thanks to Huchiah for all the networking and running around he did in Hanur for admissions, paperwork, etc.
So we brought Kavya to Bangalore and placed her in an institution for girls outside Bangalore city. She was very unhappy there. She was homesick and wanted to return home. We took her back home and admitted her into an English medium school in Hanur, the town closest to her village. The school was expensive for her mother, so we paid the fees. She liked the school, but the hostel was not very good. A government-run hostel, some students were hand picked to help the staff. She was among them. She hardly got any time to study. In two years, her grades fell, her morale sank and she lost interest in her studies. Her response to any question, however kind, was tears.
From a bubbly happy positive little girl, she had changed into a teary preteen. It was time for change. This year, we brought her back to Bangalore and admitted her into an institution that offers boarding and education to girls from poor families.
Now the tears are dry. But whether she can cope with her studies in Std 8 after 5 years of Kannada medium and 2 years of working in a hostel, I am not sure.
P.S. A vote of thanks to Huchiah for all the networking and running around he did in Hanur for admissions, paperwork, etc.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Strolling in Veerappan's lands
During the course of this trip, I met many students, heard their different stories - inspiring, saddening, brave, shocking - all kinds of stories. I met some really beautiful and wonderful people. People in dire straits still living with such dignity! Those stories will come out by and by.
One highlight of the trip was a visit to erstwhile Veerappan hinterlands. Most of the Soliga inhabited areas fall under this category. When I went to Ponnachi, Huchaiah took me to the primary school where he studied. This is an Ashrama Shaale, a residential schools for tribal children.
I started talking with the teachers in my broken Kannada and was pleasantly surprised that some of the teachers knew Tamil. Suddenly the conversation veered towards Veerappan and I was all ears. One of them told me that Veerappan was a friend of his brother and attended his wedding! Another told me how he had seen him strolling around the forests of Ponnachi when he was a teen. Just as the stories started flowing, Huchaiah mentioned that I was a journalist.
Suddenly puzzled looks were exchanged. The topic of conversation changed and before I could do anything about it, I had to leave to meet some people. I told them I was keen to listen to their tales and promised to come back and talk to them.
That evening, a teacher came to me and said that everything he told me was one big joke! It was so sad! They just did not want to talk to me after that. Later Huchaiah told me that the locals are still petrified of the police and fear harassment. This, so many years after Veerappan's death!
Shobha S.V.
One highlight of the trip was a visit to erstwhile Veerappan hinterlands. Most of the Soliga inhabited areas fall under this category. When I went to Ponnachi, Huchaiah took me to the primary school where he studied. This is an Ashrama Shaale, a residential schools for tribal children.
I started talking with the teachers in my broken Kannada and was pleasantly surprised that some of the teachers knew Tamil. Suddenly the conversation veered towards Veerappan and I was all ears. One of them told me that Veerappan was a friend of his brother and attended his wedding! Another told me how he had seen him strolling around the forests of Ponnachi when he was a teen. Just as the stories started flowing, Huchaiah mentioned that I was a journalist.
Suddenly puzzled looks were exchanged. The topic of conversation changed and before I could do anything about it, I had to leave to meet some people. I told them I was keen to listen to their tales and promised to come back and talk to them.
That evening, a teacher came to me and said that everything he told me was one big joke! It was so sad! They just did not want to talk to me after that. Later Huchaiah told me that the locals are still petrified of the police and fear harassment. This, so many years after Veerappan's death!
Shobha S.V.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Philosophy of education, ha!
Education is an area of interest for me. Especially, philosophy of education. When I went there what stuck me acutely was how it was not about education at all. It was all about livelihood. I doubt if they could divorce education from livelihood. Education is a ticket to livelihood for all of them there.
Thinking about philosophy of education seemed like a privilege of the privileged alone. In the Soliga lands, the need of the hour is employment. People are increasingly turning to education not because they want the further generations to be enlightened human beings, but because there is no other way they will secure jobs if they are not educated.
Exposure to the world outside and the loss of rights over their ancestral forests, have together skewed their self-esteem and self-image. Simultaneously, education (a programme designed by the state) has attained a lot of importance. Sometimes, I wonder if employment alone should be a reason for education. Or should education be for reasons for self development. But where is the time for the latter when one is busy trying very hard to make ends meet.
What a horrible world we live in with its really unfair structures. Some perspective, this! It is indeed sad that even thinking about education is a privilege of a few privileged people!
Shobha S.V.
Thinking about philosophy of education seemed like a privilege of the privileged alone. In the Soliga lands, the need of the hour is employment. People are increasingly turning to education not because they want the further generations to be enlightened human beings, but because there is no other way they will secure jobs if they are not educated.
Exposure to the world outside and the loss of rights over their ancestral forests, have together skewed their self-esteem and self-image. Simultaneously, education (a programme designed by the state) has attained a lot of importance. Sometimes, I wonder if employment alone should be a reason for education. Or should education be for reasons for self development. But where is the time for the latter when one is busy trying very hard to make ends meet.
What a horrible world we live in with its really unfair structures. Some perspective, this! It is indeed sad that even thinking about education is a privilege of a few privileged people!
Shobha S.V.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Meeting Kanasu kids
This post is by AC, a techie who has spent a lot of time and effort in helping Kanasu.
-------------------------------
Meeting the kids (if I can call them kids) changes the perspective completely. It should be compulsory for everyone involved with Kanasu. These kids have a very daunting task ahead. Often coming from structured education we will not comprehend this.
There is a struggle to identify the future for each and every one of them. I mean not knowing what may be the right path for them to take. Given that Kanasu often has to assume this, there needs to be some way we can support Veena to give her confidence that she is making the right decision.
Having a network of people who will actively make introductions for them to get employment can be very helpful. Especially since all of them found jobs through someone's referral. The traditional application route might not be work here. I can't emphasize enough on the level mismatch of the education being
imparted. The students will need some regular guidance/coaching.
I am also convinced that they should be meeting each other and feeding off each other's successes. More money being spent on a few might help solve a lot of above problems.
-------------------------------
Meeting the kids (if I can call them kids) changes the perspective completely. It should be compulsory for everyone involved with Kanasu. These kids have a very daunting task ahead. Often coming from structured education we will not comprehend this.
There is a struggle to identify the future for each and every one of them. I mean not knowing what may be the right path for them to take. Given that Kanasu often has to assume this, there needs to be some way we can support Veena to give her confidence that she is making the right decision.
Having a network of people who will actively make introductions for them to get employment can be very helpful. Especially since all of them found jobs through someone's referral. The traditional application route might not be work here. I can't emphasize enough on the level mismatch of the education being
imparted. The students will need some regular guidance/coaching.
I am also convinced that they should be meeting each other and feeding off each other's successes. More money being spent on a few might help solve a lot of above problems.
Education or livelihood?
I was travelling to assess the impact of the work by the Kanasu team among rural and tribal students. I met students who belonged predominantly to the Soliga tribe. Almost all of them were economically backward. I had to see whether they were studying properly and providing desired results academically. It seems like a simple exercise. Except that it isn't quite simple enough.
Soligas have a great culture of their own. They are highly educated people; their culture equips them with an intimate knowledge of nature. Their culture equips them to know about medicinal plants in the forests by the time they are 3 or 4 years old-something we learn only if we do a BSc in Botany. Yes, they weren’t literate.
But then, the education these kids receive is quite poor. They do not receive any special kind of education which opens up their mind. They are learning things that totally disconnect themselves from their surroundings.
The current education is not helping them be creative and thinking individuals. As is the case everywhere, there will be creative and thinking individuals not because of the system but despite the system. But yes, I am sure it is successfully killing the creativity of many kids there and also creating various other problems in process.
Early in my travels, it became clear that we are not helping them be “educated”. We are only providing them with tools to earn a decent livelihood! That in itself is a big thing, considering for various reasons including globalisation, their decreasing right within their own forests have rendered them totally helpless. They just don't have a choice but to join the larger national economy. And education here helps them. It helps them to secure a livelihood; it helps them to earn money so that they don't starve and die.
Shobha S.V.
Soligas have a great culture of their own. They are highly educated people; their culture equips them with an intimate knowledge of nature. Their culture equips them to know about medicinal plants in the forests by the time they are 3 or 4 years old-something we learn only if we do a BSc in Botany. Yes, they weren’t literate.
But then, the education these kids receive is quite poor. They do not receive any special kind of education which opens up their mind. They are learning things that totally disconnect themselves from their surroundings.
The current education is not helping them be creative and thinking individuals. As is the case everywhere, there will be creative and thinking individuals not because of the system but despite the system. But yes, I am sure it is successfully killing the creativity of many kids there and also creating various other problems in process.
Early in my travels, it became clear that we are not helping them be “educated”. We are only providing them with tools to earn a decent livelihood! That in itself is a big thing, considering for various reasons including globalisation, their decreasing right within their own forests have rendered them totally helpless. They just don't have a choice but to join the larger national economy. And education here helps them. It helps them to secure a livelihood; it helps them to earn money so that they don't starve and die.
Shobha S.V.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Meeting the students
We have had three sets of meetings this year.
1. We called some of the students over for a one-on-one to Bangalore early this year.
2. We traveled to Basavanagudi, Konankere, Kamagere to meet some of the students and their families.
3. We invited all the Bangalore-based students to meet us over lunch and snacks on June 12-13.
Reports coming soon...
1. We called some of the students over for a one-on-one to Bangalore early this year.
2. We traveled to Basavanagudi, Konankere, Kamagere to meet some of the students and their families.
3. We invited all the Bangalore-based students to meet us over lunch and snacks on June 12-13.
Reports coming soon...
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Grandmother strikes again
Remember the girl who would be pickled?
The grandmother strikes again. This time it is to go the temple, to worship the family god, can't miss the ceremony, etc. etc.
Hope the child survives this academic year at least.
The grandmother strikes again. This time it is to go the temple, to worship the family god, can't miss the ceremony, etc. etc.
Hope the child survives this academic year at least.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Passed - 1st class
Some good news.
Two boys -- both studying D.Ed. have completed their first year with first class.
Onto the second year now...
Two boys -- both studying D.Ed. have completed their first year with first class.
Onto the second year now...
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Follow up reports
In the past two months, we've managed to meet almost every student (except two) we are supporting this year. It took a bit of travel, but between the three of us, we managed it!
1. B.R. Hills
2. Kollegal
3. Mysore + Chamarajanagar
4. Bangalore
5. H.D. Kote
6. K.R. Nagar
7. Melkote
8. Hanur
9. Srimangala, Kodagu (pending)
10. Ponnampet, Kodagu (pending)
Reports will be posted asap.
1. B.R. Hills
2. Kollegal
3. Mysore + Chamarajanagar
4. Bangalore
5. H.D. Kote
6. K.R. Nagar
7. Melkote
8. Hanur
9. Srimangala, Kodagu (pending)
10. Ponnampet, Kodagu (pending)
Reports will be posted asap.
Helping hands
He was a student, much like those others who came to me seeking help. He was eloquent, willing to work, and urban. With jokes, compliments and some hard work, he befriended me. And today, he has become a young professional. And he donates some money to Kanasu Trust each month.
He is a friend of a friend. When I needed Rs 50,000 in a hurry, he helped raise Rs 35,000 in a matter of two weeks, from friends, colleagues, and family. Then he actually apologised for being an introvert, and not having more friends.
She was a flatmate, my sounding board, my person-to-bore-at-all-times. One fine day, as I was recalling my conversation with the latest student who contacted me, she suddenly said: "I'll raise money for this boy." And she did. For this one, and the next, and the next.
I do not know where they come from, but I seem to have friends all around. This work has enriched my life aplenty. I feel very very good personally being the channel through which so many people help so many others. Feels like a huge privilege...
Perhaps, I should not let a couple of bad experiences rule my decisions.
He is a friend of a friend. When I needed Rs 50,000 in a hurry, he helped raise Rs 35,000 in a matter of two weeks, from friends, colleagues, and family. Then he actually apologised for being an introvert, and not having more friends.
She was a flatmate, my sounding board, my person-to-bore-at-all-times. One fine day, as I was recalling my conversation with the latest student who contacted me, she suddenly said: "I'll raise money for this boy." And she did. For this one, and the next, and the next.
I do not know where they come from, but I seem to have friends all around. This work has enriched my life aplenty. I feel very very good personally being the channel through which so many people help so many others. Feels like a huge privilege...
Perhaps, I should not let a couple of bad experiences rule my decisions.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
One daughter, pickled, fresh
One of the four girls we admitted to school is back with me -- for her Dasara vacations. She is 13, has come of age, and is just ripe to be married off before she gets “spoilt” or picks up a bad reputation.
Her grandmother is very anxious to get to work – marrying her off is top priority. She has visited the social worker/local guardian twice already. “Send her to my house for the vacations.” “I am old, I want my granddaughter to take care of me.” She threatened us (how dare you keep my grand child from me?), pleaded with us (I will die soon…), cried inconsolably for her grand daughter… All for the pleasure of marrying her off at 13!
The mother is also under enormous pressure. “Why aren’t you marrying her off? Are you going to keep her and pickle her?” she was asked, according to her own reports. “Yes, I will pickle her,” she claims to have replied.
The girl, G, has a story that is typical of many others. Father drunk. Has another family now. Her mother says she left her husband as he tried to kill the second girl when he was drunk; father says the wife walked out on him… Whatever the truth, G was put to work as a 6 year old – in a Seth house in Jayanagar. She took care of the child and also helped with washing dishes, etc. Mother says her aunt did it, i.e. G’s grand aunt. Then the mother found the child and rescued her, admitted both her daughters into a convent near coastal Karnataka.
From there, the story is fairly clear. The children stayed there, and attended school while the mother wandered for work. She has worked in a hostel as a cook, in a garment factory, in umpteen homes, etc. The girls stayed in the hostel for 4-5 years. Last April, the mother was asked to remove the younger daughter as she was “stupid”. The elder daughter, G, was labeled as bright.
She now wants to learn English and that's why she is with me. She has two teachers, who have been arguing about what is more important -- reading or comprehension. :)
Such a relief to worry about this, rather than the previous issue...
Her grandmother is very anxious to get to work – marrying her off is top priority. She has visited the social worker/local guardian twice already. “Send her to my house for the vacations.” “I am old, I want my granddaughter to take care of me.” She threatened us (how dare you keep my grand child from me?), pleaded with us (I will die soon…), cried inconsolably for her grand daughter… All for the pleasure of marrying her off at 13!
The mother is also under enormous pressure. “Why aren’t you marrying her off? Are you going to keep her and pickle her?” she was asked, according to her own reports. “Yes, I will pickle her,” she claims to have replied.
The girl, G, has a story that is typical of many others. Father drunk. Has another family now. Her mother says she left her husband as he tried to kill the second girl when he was drunk; father says the wife walked out on him… Whatever the truth, G was put to work as a 6 year old – in a Seth house in Jayanagar. She took care of the child and also helped with washing dishes, etc. Mother says her aunt did it, i.e. G’s grand aunt. Then the mother found the child and rescued her, admitted both her daughters into a convent near coastal Karnataka.
From there, the story is fairly clear. The children stayed there, and attended school while the mother wandered for work. She has worked in a hostel as a cook, in a garment factory, in umpteen homes, etc. The girls stayed in the hostel for 4-5 years. Last April, the mother was asked to remove the younger daughter as she was “stupid”. The elder daughter, G, was labeled as bright.
She now wants to learn English and that's why she is with me. She has two teachers, who have been arguing about what is more important -- reading or comprehension. :)
Such a relief to worry about this, rather than the previous issue...
Sunday, September 20, 2009
We got taken for a long ride...
It was quite shocking.
The receipt number is the same.
The amount is the same.
The date and month are the same.
Only the year has been changed -- from 08 to 09.
We discovered that one of the students we support was cheating -- us! He had sent us last year's bill and claimed money.
We were upset and felt betrayed. After all, we all spend so much time, energy and money to ensure these boys get a decent education... coming as they do from families of coolies who drink away their earnings...
What do we do?
First, we tried to understand why he did it.
1. We ask for receipts, receipts, receipts. Perhaps the college did not issue a receipt and we were asking for receipt. What else could he do?
2. We only pay for educational expenses (fees, books, uniform, hostel, etc.) -- not debts incurred by the family, not daily wear clothes, not the occasional movie, not... not... not... Perhaps, he needs the money for any or all of the above... especially debts as boys a decade younger are earning an income, whereas he is not.
3. Perhaps he needs a mobile?
4. Or even a new pair of shoes...
5. Or perhaps, he just saw a bunch of do-gooders with money to burn...
I do not know the reason, but do we stop supporting him?
He is midway through his course. The money invested so far will be wasted as he will certainly drop out. Do I have the right to do this?
I tried meeting him, but he is sick and has gone home.
Plan of action:
1. After his return, go to his college and hostel and get first hand information about the fees paid this year.
2. With this information in hand, meet him and ask why he did this?
3. Explain that this has demotivated all of us to such an extent that we would like to close the Trust and stop the work entirely.
4. Make him and others sign a bond that they will repay all the money they have taken for their studies. This was a verbal agreement till now.
Or
Scream at him and get it over with.
Option 2 is always easier, isn't it?
But the big question is: How do I trust him with money henceforth? Need to work out a method whereby I pay the college directly, and not him. How fair is that? Life has no answers right now...
The receipt number is the same.
The amount is the same.
The date and month are the same.
Only the year has been changed -- from 08 to 09.
We discovered that one of the students we support was cheating -- us! He had sent us last year's bill and claimed money.
We were upset and felt betrayed. After all, we all spend so much time, energy and money to ensure these boys get a decent education... coming as they do from families of coolies who drink away their earnings...
What do we do?
First, we tried to understand why he did it.
1. We ask for receipts, receipts, receipts. Perhaps the college did not issue a receipt and we were asking for receipt. What else could he do?
2. We only pay for educational expenses (fees, books, uniform, hostel, etc.) -- not debts incurred by the family, not daily wear clothes, not the occasional movie, not... not... not... Perhaps, he needs the money for any or all of the above... especially debts as boys a decade younger are earning an income, whereas he is not.
3. Perhaps he needs a mobile?
4. Or even a new pair of shoes...
5. Or perhaps, he just saw a bunch of do-gooders with money to burn...
I do not know the reason, but do we stop supporting him?
He is midway through his course. The money invested so far will be wasted as he will certainly drop out. Do I have the right to do this?
I tried meeting him, but he is sick and has gone home.
Plan of action:
1. After his return, go to his college and hostel and get first hand information about the fees paid this year.
2. With this information in hand, meet him and ask why he did this?
3. Explain that this has demotivated all of us to such an extent that we would like to close the Trust and stop the work entirely.
4. Make him and others sign a bond that they will repay all the money they have taken for their studies. This was a verbal agreement till now.
Or
Scream at him and get it over with.
Option 2 is always easier, isn't it?
But the big question is: How do I trust him with money henceforth? Need to work out a method whereby I pay the college directly, and not him. How fair is that? Life has no answers right now...
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Travails of being a social worker
H planned to be a social worker as his father was one. But S and I never did. We were just your normal people, wanting to lead normal lives. But fate has other things in store. We deal with people today -- people wanting to make lives at their convenience.
1. "We need Rs 20,000. Can you send it?"
20,000? That's a lot of money. What for?
"We have some loans, and we have a jatre (fair) coming up. So we need the money."
I am sorry, we only support education. And I do not have a job to give you my money.
They had their jatre, and they are deeper in debt with the local moneylender.
2. "Can you please send Rs 20,000?"
Why?
"For my daughter's marriage."
She is only 15. How can you get her married? Why do you want to ruin her life? Isn't it enough that you are suffering? And no, I do not have the money, and even if I did, I would not give you the money to get a child married. Cancel the marriage if you don't have money.
The marriage did take place, and the entire extended family is in debt.
3. "They said, whoever wants to take you away has to give Rs 2,000 each month."
What for?
"That is what I am earning here now."
A bright-eyed kid who barely looks like he has completed 4th grade, B is working in a grocery shop. He has dropped out of school because his parents want him to earn money. Both his parents migrated from North Karnataka and worked in Bangalore for the past few years. I know recession has taken hold of the economy because they are all out of work. So they sit at home and send him to work. Both the parents drink only once a week. They're good people. The rest of the crowd drinks everyday.
I spoke with him daily asking him to get back to school. He said he would speak with his parents and this was their response. He said he ran away, but someone found him and brought him back. He was not willing to run away again.
Should I call the child helpline and inform them? Where does he get taken? How will his life be there? I do not know, and I do not have the time to follow up with a part-time job, a full-time child, a full-time trust and an income to earn. :(
1. "We need Rs 20,000. Can you send it?"
20,000? That's a lot of money. What for?
"We have some loans, and we have a jatre (fair) coming up. So we need the money."
I am sorry, we only support education. And I do not have a job to give you my money.
They had their jatre, and they are deeper in debt with the local moneylender.
2. "Can you please send Rs 20,000?"
Why?
"For my daughter's marriage."
She is only 15. How can you get her married? Why do you want to ruin her life? Isn't it enough that you are suffering? And no, I do not have the money, and even if I did, I would not give you the money to get a child married. Cancel the marriage if you don't have money.
The marriage did take place, and the entire extended family is in debt.
3. "They said, whoever wants to take you away has to give Rs 2,000 each month."
What for?
"That is what I am earning here now."
A bright-eyed kid who barely looks like he has completed 4th grade, B is working in a grocery shop. He has dropped out of school because his parents want him to earn money. Both his parents migrated from North Karnataka and worked in Bangalore for the past few years. I know recession has taken hold of the economy because they are all out of work. So they sit at home and send him to work. Both the parents drink only once a week. They're good people. The rest of the crowd drinks everyday.
I spoke with him daily asking him to get back to school. He said he would speak with his parents and this was their response. He said he ran away, but someone found him and brought him back. He was not willing to run away again.
Should I call the child helpline and inform them? Where does he get taken? How will his life be there? I do not know, and I do not have the time to follow up with a part-time job, a full-time child, a full-time trust and an income to earn. :(
Saturday, September 5, 2009
We are closed for this year... Try again next year...
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?
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?
Monday, July 20, 2009
Taking stock
Lately, all we seem to do is run run run... And the work is still not done.
I seem to be seeking new people to sponsor the kids, while H seems to be running around meeting the students, their parents, teachers, wardens...
It was time to take stock. And we did. We found that we had touched 40 lives in the past year alone!!!!!!!
School students (11 - 10 girls, 1 boy):
Several surprises... 10 of them were school students, a group we did not plan on touching at all. But somehow, when parents and students ask for help to get a child into school, it seems impossible to say no. In the case of five students, the support has been minimal -- between Rs 400 - 500. They are all girls, living in small hamlets far from high school facilities. They all wanted help with travel, fees and basic necessities to prepare them for hostel life. We did it -- another need met.
Four other girls were in need of more urgent intervention. It has been chronicled last month...
One boy was all set to drop out as he had no "home" to stay in. He has now been put in a hostel, and a relative of his will be supporting him indirectly through the trust. We have paid his expenses now, a similar amount will be donated to the trust by his relative.
One girl is being supported for more than a year. She was a drop out, due to sickness and poverty. Now she is back in school, enjoying life. Her brothers take care of her, we help out when required. Her smile is enough to pick us all up! Somehow, she makes it worthwhile to beg!!!
ITI (5 students - all boys):
Three children from Ramapura in Kollegal taluk have joined ITI in Kollegal. It broke my heart that a student with 94% in one subject in PUC Commerce should go for ITI where the marks are not even considered. But that's what he chose to do. Do I dare to say I know better?
One more tribal boy (working in Bangalore), who has not found his niche also decided to join ITI in Bangalore. He has to continue supporting his parents and family. I have to find him some work that brings in enough money to keep his home fires burning... Washing cars, perhaps? 1 car @ 350 per month. 10 cars @ 3,500 per month. That's his current salary. And it takes just 2-3 hours each morning, whereas the job takes all day.
One finishes his course this year. A spunky kid with loads of initiative. We had to crack down on him for his initiative! Awaiting his successful graduation!
Degree (6 students - five boys, one girl):
Three in Bangalore, two in Mysore, one in Ponnampet... Three will graduate this year. Awaiting results, thinking of further studies (MA, B.Ed, MSW, Law) vs jobs.
BEd, DEd (5 students - all boys):
Right now, five students... The fifth one called today! Child labourer, behind his classmates by four years, as he spent more than three years working in an estate, herding cows. He was rescued in a media blitz and then resumed his Std 5, and graduated four years behind his contemporaries. Needs money for food to complete his course. About Rs 350 per month, he estimates. Do I dare turn him down? No.
Nursing (one boy):
He is an efficient boy who does his work and calls once in a while to inform us about how he is doing.
Diploma (4 students - all boys):
Three in Mysore, one in Melkote.
Law (1):
He is in his final year. Somehow, he is critical to us as he got Kanasu Trust started. Have to meet him and discuss his future.
PUC (7 students - 2 boys, one girl, rest pending):
One in Kamagere, one in Bangalore, one in Odeyarpalya, the rest in Yelandur.
That's our 40 for now. Now I understand why it seemed like a Herculean task over the past couple of months. There was just no time to mentor them. Need to strategise the financial aspects so that there is some time for mentoring too. Need to find more mentors as well... And miles to go before I sleep...
I seem to be seeking new people to sponsor the kids, while H seems to be running around meeting the students, their parents, teachers, wardens...
It was time to take stock. And we did. We found that we had touched 40 lives in the past year alone!!!!!!!
School students (11 - 10 girls, 1 boy):
Several surprises... 10 of them were school students, a group we did not plan on touching at all. But somehow, when parents and students ask for help to get a child into school, it seems impossible to say no. In the case of five students, the support has been minimal -- between Rs 400 - 500. They are all girls, living in small hamlets far from high school facilities. They all wanted help with travel, fees and basic necessities to prepare them for hostel life. We did it -- another need met.
Four other girls were in need of more urgent intervention. It has been chronicled last month...
One boy was all set to drop out as he had no "home" to stay in. He has now been put in a hostel, and a relative of his will be supporting him indirectly through the trust. We have paid his expenses now, a similar amount will be donated to the trust by his relative.
One girl is being supported for more than a year. She was a drop out, due to sickness and poverty. Now she is back in school, enjoying life. Her brothers take care of her, we help out when required. Her smile is enough to pick us all up! Somehow, she makes it worthwhile to beg!!!
ITI (5 students - all boys):
Three children from Ramapura in Kollegal taluk have joined ITI in Kollegal. It broke my heart that a student with 94% in one subject in PUC Commerce should go for ITI where the marks are not even considered. But that's what he chose to do. Do I dare to say I know better?
One more tribal boy (working in Bangalore), who has not found his niche also decided to join ITI in Bangalore. He has to continue supporting his parents and family. I have to find him some work that brings in enough money to keep his home fires burning... Washing cars, perhaps? 1 car @ 350 per month. 10 cars @ 3,500 per month. That's his current salary. And it takes just 2-3 hours each morning, whereas the job takes all day.
One finishes his course this year. A spunky kid with loads of initiative. We had to crack down on him for his initiative! Awaiting his successful graduation!
Degree (6 students - five boys, one girl):
Three in Bangalore, two in Mysore, one in Ponnampet... Three will graduate this year. Awaiting results, thinking of further studies (MA, B.Ed, MSW, Law) vs jobs.
BEd, DEd (5 students - all boys):
Right now, five students... The fifth one called today! Child labourer, behind his classmates by four years, as he spent more than three years working in an estate, herding cows. He was rescued in a media blitz and then resumed his Std 5, and graduated four years behind his contemporaries. Needs money for food to complete his course. About Rs 350 per month, he estimates. Do I dare turn him down? No.
Nursing (one boy):
He is an efficient boy who does his work and calls once in a while to inform us about how he is doing.
Diploma (4 students - all boys):
Three in Mysore, one in Melkote.
Law (1):
He is in his final year. Somehow, he is critical to us as he got Kanasu Trust started. Have to meet him and discuss his future.
PUC (7 students - 2 boys, one girl, rest pending):
One in Kamagere, one in Bangalore, one in Odeyarpalya, the rest in Yelandur.
That's our 40 for now. Now I understand why it seemed like a Herculean task over the past couple of months. There was just no time to mentor them. Need to strategise the financial aspects so that there is some time for mentoring too. Need to find more mentors as well... And miles to go before I sleep...
Saturday, July 18, 2009
A gap in the world
The last month has been hectic. Students who have completed their 10th would like to study further. Parents do not approve. They'd rather have them get to work.
A tribal researcher employed with a prominent research organisation contacted me requesting support for five students who have completed schooling. Their village has no college and the nearest government college is at least 100 km away. Private colleges (which are closer) charge a few thousand rupees as fees. Do we try for admission in the government college? Or do we join the private college?
If we get admission in the government college (which is not at all assured), what about hostel facilities? What about food? Who will bear all these expenses? If we get admission to the private college, then the fees is a few thousand rupees. Bus fare to and from school (about 25-30 km), books, clothes, and all that. Too much, said the parents, who earned between Rs 40-70 as a day's wages.
One of the boys passed his 10th with a first class. He made his choice quickly. He preferred to work, because for the first time in their area wages were up to Rs 84 per day! The men were only paid Rs 60-70 per day otherwise. Why are the wages up? Because the NREGA is being implemented in their area! Life is like that only.
Today, another lady contacted me. She has studied theology and works with a social service organisation in a small village in Kanakapura. Would I be able to help students from her area? she asked. They come from very poor families. Some of them are bright and need support for higher education. Can we? I do not know.
Till now, we have not turned anyone away. I do not know what the future has in store. But I am spending more and more of my time in fund-raising. That leaves less time for mentoring... Not an equation I like. We need to work out some long-term solution to this existing void.
A tribal researcher employed with a prominent research organisation contacted me requesting support for five students who have completed schooling. Their village has no college and the nearest government college is at least 100 km away. Private colleges (which are closer) charge a few thousand rupees as fees. Do we try for admission in the government college? Or do we join the private college?
If we get admission in the government college (which is not at all assured), what about hostel facilities? What about food? Who will bear all these expenses? If we get admission to the private college, then the fees is a few thousand rupees. Bus fare to and from school (about 25-30 km), books, clothes, and all that. Too much, said the parents, who earned between Rs 40-70 as a day's wages.
One of the boys passed his 10th with a first class. He made his choice quickly. He preferred to work, because for the first time in their area wages were up to Rs 84 per day! The men were only paid Rs 60-70 per day otherwise. Why are the wages up? Because the NREGA is being implemented in their area! Life is like that only.
Today, another lady contacted me. She has studied theology and works with a social service organisation in a small village in Kanakapura. Would I be able to help students from her area? she asked. They come from very poor families. Some of them are bright and need support for higher education. Can we? I do not know.
Till now, we have not turned anyone away. I do not know what the future has in store. But I am spending more and more of my time in fund-raising. That leaves less time for mentoring... Not an equation I like. We need to work out some long-term solution to this existing void.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Vision, mission, etc
What is your mission, vision, etc?
As of now, we have no mission. We do have visions, but we'd rather call them dreams. We dream that these students will complete their studies, find jobs, and then come back to support other children. We dream that a few years from now, we will not have to seek funds from the city-based friends-and-colleagues network. That the alumni will support the next set of students.
We at Kanasu Trust believe that having a mission will only restrict us and take us away from our raison d'être - the need felt by our kids. I understand that I should call them target group... but somehow they remain our kids!
So our mission could be:
- To fulfill needs felt strongly and expressed in the field of education and livelihood training.
- To mentor first-generation learners for a career in the world outside.
- To prepare the children of marginal farmers and landless labourers for life as equals in society.
This is so dynamic, and it will change. But, this is what we have been doing for the past three years, only the last one year is official!
As of now, we have no mission. We do have visions, but we'd rather call them dreams. We dream that these students will complete their studies, find jobs, and then come back to support other children. We dream that a few years from now, we will not have to seek funds from the city-based friends-and-colleagues network. That the alumni will support the next set of students.
We at Kanasu Trust believe that having a mission will only restrict us and take us away from our raison d'être - the need felt by our kids. I understand that I should call them target group... but somehow they remain our kids!
So our mission could be:
- To fulfill needs felt strongly and expressed in the field of education and livelihood training.
- To mentor first-generation learners for a career in the world outside.
- To prepare the children of marginal farmers and landless labourers for life as equals in society.
This is so dynamic, and it will change. But, this is what we have been doing for the past three years, only the last one year is official!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Q1 finances
Income this quarter has been sufficient for the students in need.
MBR: 2,500
SV: 1,000
P: 5,000
GPS: 5,000
ACL: 6,000
DrB: 5,000
PN: 5,000
VM: 2,000
AC: 2,000
SBB: 1,000
AS: 9,000
-------------
Total: 43,500
-------------
This was used for food (hostel messes are closed for the summer), exam fees, admission fees, and some last minute purchase of guides and photocopying. Some students have also been admitted to schools and colleges for further studies.
MBR: 2,500
SV: 1,000
P: 5,000
GPS: 5,000
ACL: 6,000
DrB: 5,000
PN: 5,000
VM: 2,000
AC: 2,000
SBB: 1,000
AS: 9,000
-------------
Total: 43,500
-------------
This was used for food (hostel messes are closed for the summer), exam fees, admission fees, and some last minute purchase of guides and photocopying. Some students have also been admitted to schools and colleges for further studies.
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