Colors attract everyone
They were quite……obedient…and sharp. They listened what we had to say in rapt attention. They were kids from very poor backgrounds.
Many of them have been rescued as child laborers. Many of them still work as laborers in small shops, factories and in their homes stitching clothes, making doormats, spinning threads and all those works which we don’t even think about.
They explained there work in vivid details. They talked about their pain, their problems, their work and their dreams. They painted the walls with steady hands. They laughed with their hearts out.
Meenakshi talking to kids and teachers in the school
They were responsible kids who taught us to value small things in our life. It has been a learning experience for both of us.
We met these kids in a school run by an NGO in Panipat.
In this blog we will simply tell you their stories……and an alternate way of tackling the huge issue of child labors in India.
Kadir work as a doormat maker.
Abdul Kadir- age 13 years- I study in this school and learn to repair mobile. I go home in afternoon and then I make door mats. My job is to fold the corners of doormats and stitch them. My parents bring work from outside. I can stitch a whole doormat but I want to be a dancer when I grow up.
Asma works in a kirana shop after school
Ashma Mad- age 8 years- I learn computers here. I work in a grocery shop. I measure wheat, rice and other things in the shop and give it to people. I work for five-six hours in the evening but I want to open my own computer center.
Sanjeev separates threads at home.
Sanjeev- age- 7-8 years- I am small so I get the work of separating threads. I get small threads of different colors from the factory and my job is to separate the thread of each colour. I get three rupees per hour. I want to be a policemen and help people.
We work as benders
Saddam and Shadab- 11 years- We work as benders. Bender’s job is to join the small threads and make a long thread of the same color. we do it on a machine and also by hand. Its like this….sanjeev separates the threads and we join them. With those threads, factory workers make clothes.
Rakesh helped us with little kids. he was so responsible
Rakesh- 15 years- I came here from Patna. My father met an accident. I came to this school two years ago. Now I know computers and mobile repair work. I work in a power loom. Our work is to make quilt, shawls and bed sheets from the threads. I can work on all kinds of looms. I earn ten thousand rupees in a month and my parents depend on me.
Ramnivas made all intricate designs
Ramnivas- 14 years- I learn embroidery here. I have a tea stall where I work with my father in the evening. I feel good here as I learn something new. I want to open a computer center when I grow up.
Yasmin (in green)- 12-13 years- In the school I learn the work of a beautician. At home I stitch cushion covers and pillows. I want to work in a bank and learn computers.
Anjali (in red)- 14 years-I am learning computer here. I stitch the sofa covers, cushions and anything which comes in my way. my father can’t walk. I want to earn money so that I can get my father treated.
This is what we did in panipat
We enjoyed doing the paintings on the wall but since we have come home, we are looking at our bed sheets, shawls, sofa covers and what not….the moment we see these things…something gets stuck in our throats…don’t know why…
The kids wanted Meenakshi to paint something unique for them so she signed off in her own style