One of my conversation partners sews things like aprons, bags, pot holders, table runners...and makes cards for a living. She recently got asked to help at a rehabilitation center for beggar children, teaching them how to use their to make a living. I went with her the other day to see what she does and to meet some of the children. Since the children there are all under 18, they don't actually "work" right now, but the center gives them training. They learn English, Hindi, singing, story telling, and then they are training in block printing, stitching, jewelry making, and embroidery. They get fed at the center, have a place to shower, wash clothes... and they get paid $3 dollars a day for attending training- in hopes that they will not beg.
I guess I better describe the beggar children. Most of the children live in tents on the side of the road or near the part. Many of them do not have parents but live with older brothers or sisters. They walk the streets of the city wearing old, torn clothing, and no shoes, asking for bread, but really wanting money. Many of the children use the money to buy a chewing tobacco kind of thing or whiteout to sniff. Of course sometimes they actually ask for money but attach it with a religious blessing that you will receive in return. Some of the children also sell balloons or yarn... They can make from $5-$8 a day. They children don't like begging, but most of them are forced to by older siblings or parents.
The center keeps the kids off the streets from 9-5, but due to pressure from family I am afraid they keep begging in the evenings and on weekends. Hopefully when the kids get old enough they will have school that they will use to make money instead of resorting to begging.
I guess I better describe the beggar children. Most of the children live in tents on the side of the road or near the part. Many of them do not have parents but live with older brothers or sisters. They walk the streets of the city wearing old, torn clothing, and no shoes, asking for bread, but really wanting money. Many of the children use the money to buy a chewing tobacco kind of thing or whiteout to sniff. Of course sometimes they actually ask for money but attach it with a religious blessing that you will receive in return. Some of the children also sell balloons or yarn... They can make from $5-$8 a day. They children don't like begging, but most of them are forced to by older siblings or parents.
The center keeps the kids off the streets from 9-5, but due to pressure from family I am afraid they keep begging in the evenings and on weekends. Hopefully when the kids get old enough they will have school that they will use to make money instead of resorting to begging.
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| These cards were made by some of the children. They block printed their own fabric, cut out the shapes, and then block printed the words on the cards. |
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