VITAL's Success Stories
Location: Kolkata, IndiaShahana (age 8)
Project: Child Watch Program
Shahana*, now 8 years old, had been a street beggar since she was 5 years old. She was seen daily carrying her one year old sister Rahana*, followed by brothers Altrab (3) and Rajesh (2), begging on the streets. Their father made and sold wooden flutes for 8 pence each whilst their mother was unable to find work because she spoke Hindi and not Bengali. They lived in appalling conditions in unregistered slums without electricity, water or adequate sanitation.
For 6 months, the Child Watch staff tried to persuade Shahana to attend the education program but she was always defiant, stating that she would earn more from begging than from attending school.
At the beginning of 2007, she finally agreed and has never looked back. She has realised that she will have a better future with an education and has convinced two of her friends who live on the streets to attend school.
In June 2007 she was accepted into the local government school, which will give her access to many jobs and opportunities that would have previously been unfathomable. Her outlook on life has reached beyond the necessities of this moment, to include a plan to better herself and her family for the future.
In addition to the personal success of Shahana, her siblings have enrolled in the school, creating a solid foundation for mobility and transcendence of the family.
Shekhar (age 9)
Project: Child Watch Program
On a recent Night Watch round, Shekhar* was found at Sealdah railway station. His family and local community had disowned him because of a large growth on his face that caused a physical abnormailty. Shunned by his family due to his deformity, he had been sold by his parents (trafficked) from Utter Pradesh to Delhi but he managed to escape to Kolkata where he was found alone and unwanted.
The growth has been removed. He will then enter school and will no longer live on the railway platform where he was exposed to abuse and exploitation.
Munnalal (12)
Project: Child Watch Programme
Munnalal* (12) was addicted to solvents. Found abandoned and living at the train station, he lost his arm and foot when he did not see the train coming due to the fog. After receiving treatment in hospital, he no longer lives at the train station. Munalal has received a prosthetic arm and leg and received rehabilitative help. He is now off drugs and attending school.
*names changed for privacy
