Meet some of the kids who attend our schools - Mariyam's story

Fathers’ Day provides us with the opportunity to show our love and appreciation by honouring the dads and father-figures in our lives and communities. It’s especially not easy when you don’t have a dad to care for you and the family.

This Fathers’ Day it is our privilege to share a few of the stories of some of the beautiful students who attend our education centres. We love these kids supporting not only their learning, but caring and providing for their health and wellbeing with a daily meal, counselling and emotional support as they face some very difficult circumstances - which are compounded by the poverty that impacts them daily.

2 years ago Mariyam’s father died due to heart disease. Through her hard work at school she now wants to honour her father by achieving her dreams and making him proud.

Meet Mariyam a 14-year-old, who studies at our City Centre School. Mariyam has 4 siblings, her father died of heart disease when she was just 12 years old and her mother Najmeen is struggling to care for her family. Mariyam's father used to sell vegetables and was the sole provider for the family. In India it is difficult for woman within rural communities to find employment due to a lack of education and opportunities. Najmeen begun to work as a maid for wealthier families but this has not been enough to care for her 5 children and without the support of the Project Help Education Centre it is unlikely that Mariyam would ever have had the opportunity to attend school and receive an education.

Mariyam has received counselling, she has told us that she misses her father. She has said that if he was still alive, he would have done anything for Mariyam and her siblings if they wanted ice cream, he would have purchased it. If she wanted a doll or a dress... He would have purchased it.

Mariyam has said that despite their financial position her father sacrificed everything for their family and only wanted to see his children happy.

Mariyam has great dreams and aspirations, now she wants to honour her father by achieving her dreams and making him proud. Since Mariyam joined our education centre she has enjoy exploring new passions and dreaming of the future. Her interest in her studies have increased and her teachers have said that she likes to ask them many questions. We look forward to seeing her bright future and we know that her father would be proud.

WE LOVE YOU DAD (Pt 3) Sunjay - a passionate, persistent and inspiring father figure to many

Proud and protective father of 7 year-old Bhoomika, as well as a father figure to more than 500 children who would not have attended school if it wasn’t for his vision and determination for his community.

Project Help India seeks to bring about community change and generational transformation

Through a remarkable man, Sunjay, we see the power of this vision. We are especially delighted to give this update to our supporters, many of whom about 8 years ago, provided the financial support to help Sunjay with his law degree.

Sunjay’s Story

This story is about Sanjay, a teacher and leader within Project Help India. Sanjay's story is about struggle, hope, persistence and love. Sunjay grew up in a very remote village. He still lives here and married to Rahi who is also a teacher at the Village Kadarganj Project Help Education Centre. Sunjay is proud and protective father of 7 year-old Bhoomika. His dream for his daughter is that she will leave their small village so that she will be successful. 

Sunjay is a quietly spoken, humble and determined man. He does not like to be the centre of attention, yet he will repectfully speak his mind. It was in 2010 that Sunjay, having heard about Project Help’s work helping kids in the Kotdwara slums, he approached Amit Samuel (Project Help Director) asking him to consider bringing education to the remote jungle villages. Sunjay was persistent in his advocacy for the many children, who did not have access to any form of education. The following year in 2011, the first of now three Jungle village centres commenced. We now have 120+ children attending Project Help schools 5 days a week. Almost all of the children who have attended our schools over the past decade would not have attended school -certainly not the girls. Over these 10 years both Sunjay, and Rakhi have worked tirelessly with the parents to challenge their entrenched mindsets in believing that girls do not go to school. Through their wisdom, love and compassion they have assisted Project Help to develop village community programs including anti-trafficking awareness, drug and substance abuse education, and importantly women’s empowerment.

Sunjay grew up with few opportunities in life. His father Mr Ram Kunwar passed away in 2009. Savriti, his mother is very poor and has suffered many health issues over recent years. She presently enjoys being one of our cooks, daily preparing healthy meals for the children who attend the Village Kadarganj school.

For most of his life Sunjay has carried the weight and burden of his family and neighbours on his shoulders. For a short period of time (which is when I, Doug first met him in 2013 - see images below) he even set up a small ‘pharmacy’ in his village – bringing simple medications from the city to the villages, and selling these items only just to cover his costs, to give to the poor people who otherwise had no access to medical help. Through his ambition and determination, he approached Project Help India for financial support to commence a law degree. He has studied hard, and this year he is working as an intern with a senior lawyer one day a week, anticipating to be able to set up his own legal practice after graduating at the end of 2021. 

Images above: The village, the pharmacy and the very small classroom where it all began in 2013 and below photos taken just this week outside one of the Project Help village classrooms.

A role model and father figure to hundreds of children

Sanjay and his wife Rakhi are happy in their work. Aware of the power of education they have a big vision for their daughter and their students. Sunjay is a father figure to the children in the villages. He is trusted and respected by their parents and the village elders who often seek his advice and guidance. While we know that he will one day leave the village, and move into town to set up his business, we know that he will always support and serve Project help for many years to come.

Can you help us to honour and thank Sunjay

This Father’s Day we will honour and thank Sunjay by gifting him with a fridge for his house, as well as a lovely hamper filled with sweet treats for him and the family. It is because of his passion, dedication, and constant hard work, Sunjay has made it possible for over 500 children, who would never over-wise, have received an education … and through this, the wider community has changed and grown in health and strength.

We would be most grateful for your donation of $300 to pay for the fridge.

WE LOVE YOU DAD (Pt 2) Rakesh - working hard for his 4 gorgeous kids

Meet Rakesh - fighting for his daughter who was sexually abused when 8 months old. We are hoping to make his dreams for his children come true this Fathers’ Day.

It will be Father’s Day in Australia in two weeks

Fathers’ Day provides us with the opportunity to show our love and appreciation by honouring the dads and father-figures in our lives and communities. 

Please join our WE LOVE YOU DAD Campaign

Across these 3 weeks we hope to raise $5000 with the goal to;

• help dads to help their kids

• help kids who don’t have dads

At Project Help we especially count it our privilege to care for the poorest of the poor, helping dads who are doing their best, under difficult circumstances and few resources available to them. We see the good in so many men, who despite the poverty of their circumstances, work hard and never stop making personal sacrifices for their children. They dream for their children and are determined to provide for their family. We often see a stoic, brave smile that masks pain, shame and a lack of dignity because they cannot meet their family needs.

Meet Rakesh - working hard for his daughter to give her every chance

Imagine the deep sense of guilt and shame that comes from knowing that you did not protect your baby daughter. Back in 2016 Rakesh was at work labouring, when an intruder sexually abused his baby daughter Lata. This was while his 75yr blind elderly mother in law was in the room unaware and helplessly unable to intervene. Rakesh still lives with the trauma and stigma of this terrible incident. He is a hard working daily labourer who earns about 200rupees ($4AUS) a day. His work is dangerous as it involves operating sand excavation machinery in river beds. Sometimes these rivers flash flood with no warning.

Our Project Help field worker provided this update about the family just the week;

This story is about a father and his adorable daughter Lata, we can see pureness in her eyes and beauty as she smiles. She has two sisters and one brother. They all were admitted to school when Project Help India insisted that their parents take them to the local school. Lata is the youngest of all. The oldest is Neetu who is 11 years old, studies in 7th class. Secondly Bharti, she is 10 years old . She studies in 6th class and then Ajay who is 6 years old and studies in 1st class. Lata will soon start to attend school. Both parents are laborers. They Both leave their home in the morning and come home late .

Lata was eight months old, when one day her parents left for work and her siblings were also young . They were home alone when she got raped by an unknown person working near their house. Her condition was so serious  and worse that time , she could barely survive. The local police were distressed by the situation and called Project Help to help. We took this case  under control and started making efforts to save Lata. She got treated very well even after so many complications she survived and recovered and proved herself as a warrior. The rapist got the punishment of life imprisonment.  Now Lata has grown up and is 5 years old now. Poonam, her mother said that Lata sometimes has pain in her urinary tract and she needs this to be treated as soon as possible.

Lata is an intelligent girl, good in studies and learning as well. Her father told his grief regarding his daughter and we felt really heartbroken  as a father always dreams best for his children and  any father would never ever think about that grim thing to any of his children. The financial condition is also not good and the lockdown made it worse for them but still he works harder for his kids for their needs for their dreams. He loves his daughter Lata very much and wants her to achieve what she aspires to in life. He hopes that she will have everything she dreams in the whole world. He wants her to be well educated, to earn a good living, live in a good house and above all to enjoy a good life.

We pray and hope that Lata and her father’s dream will come true .

How can you help?

We want to bless Rakesh and his family this Fathers’ Day. We are seeking an Australian (or international) sponsor who can pay $360-$500 a year to pay for Lata's ongoing medical expenses and to assist with the children's school fees.

Your tax deductible donation will help Rakesh's dreams for his family come true this Fathers' Day. 

WE LOVE YOU DAD (Pt 1) Kaviraj - He has leprosy and he's an inspirational father

Imagine despite your own chronic health struggles, begging on the street every day to care for your family, doing all you can to give him every opportunity to flourish and succeed in life. This year we want to give Kaviraj the Fathers’ Day gift that he has been praying for … his son’s education.

It will be Father’s Day in Australia in three weeks

Fathers’ Day provides us with the opportunity to show our love and appreciation by honouring the dads and father-figures in our lives and communities.

At Project Help we especially count it our privilege to care for the poorest of the poor, helping dads who are doing their best, under difficult circumstances and few resources available to them. We see the good in so many men, who despite the poverty of their circumstances, work hard and never stop making personal sacrifices for their children. They dream for their children and are determined to provide for their family. We often see a stoic, brave smile that masks pain, shame and a lack of dignity because they cannot meet their family needs.

Please join our WE LOVE YOU DAD Campaign

Over the next 3 weeks our goal is to raise $5000 with the goal to;

* help dads to help their kids

* help kids who don’t have dads

Meet Kavi-Raj

Kavi-raj is an inspiring father who we have helped for a number of years. He has suffered from leprosy since he was about eight years old and abandoned by his parents who on learning of his diagnosis placed him at the front door of a temple. He is now 56 years old and married to Kanti-devi. They have a son Karan Dalei who is 14 years old and in the 8th Grade at school. Karan is healthy and fit but he is often taunted and ostracised by the other children because of his father’s condition.

Kavi and his family live in the Leprosy Colony by the riverside slum of Kotdwara. Here they live with 2 or 3 other families where each has a member of the family with leprosy. Kavi’s family is doing well these days but due to the lockdown Kavi has recently suffered a lot. His health has not been good and he must take great care due to his vulnerable health condition. Understandably he is fearful of COVID -anxious and scared for himself and for his family. To earn an income Kavi begs every day on the street. He has basically done this every day of his life since childhood. The current lockdown curfews reduce his ability to beg. On a good day he will earn about 200rupee ($4AUS) a day. Project Help has been giving him additional rations and food to support the family’s needs during the COVID crisis. 

Kavi says that he has never had a friend, other than the people he lives with. He appreciates the love that is shown to him from Project help, because he is regarded as untouchable. People do not talk to him and people on the streets treat him poorly. For me (Doug) I count it a privilege to call Kavi my friend. He has taught and inspired me so much over the years. He has a fabulous sense of humour and he makes me laugh. I cried the day he told me that I was the first friend he could remember who had held his hand and hugged him.

Kavi’s dream is to make a home for his son as he thinks that in case he dies his wife and son must have a shelter over their head. His future hopes are only for his wife and son and for the help they need. He prays for Karan to be successful in the future. He is an intelligent boy who works hard at his studies. Kavi knows that his school education holds the key for a bright future. 

How we need your help

We want to bless Kavi and his family this Fathers’ Day. Karan’s school fees are 1500rupees ($30AUS) a month. We are seeking an Australian (or international) sponsor who can pay this amount. All up this is $360 a year. If we top this to $500, we can provide Kavi’s family with some needed utensils and goods for their home. A donation (tax deductible) of $2500 would see Karan’s education through to university. Please let us know if you can help, so we can connect you with Ravi should you wish. WE WILL GIVE KAVI AND HIS FAMILY YOUR PHOTO AND A MESSAGE FROM YOU.

TOP IMAGE: With his friends at the colony. Each of the men on the right have leprosy and have much in common with each other. BOTTOM: Kavi-raj with his wife and son (and my son Gulliver).

From India to Africa - it's pouring

Despite doing this every day, crossing a flooded river during the monsoon can be incredibly dangerous for those whose income and livelihood depend on it.

Residents of Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation, are used to the yearly floods that engulf the coastal city between March and November. In July, however, the major business district of Lagos Island experienced one of its worst floods in recent years. Home to more than 24 million people, Lagos, a low-lying city on Nigeria's Atlantic coast, may become uninhabitable by the end of this century as sea levels rise due to climate change, scientific projections suggest.

This past month we have witnessed similar climate related catastrophes; floods in Germany, China, and the Philippines. Heat waves have resulted in devastating forest fires in Greece, Cyprus, North West USA and Canada.

Our planet is suffering, and with this people suffer too. As if COVID has not been enough –NGOs and charities world-wide are now having to redirect funds away from planned projects, simply because of the urgent human needs that they see before them. Much strategic planning has pivoted in ways not anticipated 18 months ago.

So much has changed in this short period of time. It’s a very different world that we now live in, and it can be overwhelming. We have all lost something and there is a pervading sense of anxiety and grief for many.

It’s wet in India too

The usually ‘predictable’ seasonal monsoon across India has also been erratic. Severe flooding has been dangerous and unexpected. Several villages close to where we work have been destroyed and lives have been lost. Children and teens are particularly at risk, due to their lack of water safety awareness, and not being able to swim. During the current lockdown, kids are not attending school, so they will get out and about, playing in streams and waterways. Last week in Kotdwara a 14 year old boy drowned while playing with three of his friends by a flooded river.

In response to this, the Sub Divisional Magistrate of Kotdwara asked if Project Help could develop a monsoon awareness campaign. So, last week we commenced a community program, particularly directed to children and those whose slum houses are situated on the river banks and whose daily work requires them to frequently cross rivers.

Agile teams working with love and compassion

We often need to do things quickly in India and key to our success are the 3 strong Project Help teams. Presently we employ 28 local people, full-time, in 3 cities in 3 states of India. These hard-working, dedicated and passionate people inspire me greatly. They are trusted and respected within their community. In this rapidly changing world, whether it’s floods, COVID related, people trafficking, drug awareness, health and hygiene, educating and feeding children or women’s empowerment, these issues are all connected to our mission which is to bring love, hope, dignity and purpose to the poor.

Our teams send their love and appreciation to the many people who donate to Project Help India. Your donation pays these people’s salaries, and also the funding of our many programs.

Your generosity makes all, and so much more possible. Thank you.

WORLD DAY AGAINST TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS 2021

The work of Project Help India, in partnership with the local police plays an important role in rescuing young women, girls and boys from trafficking. These children, many of whom live in the communities where we work are victims of sex exploitation, forced labour and even organ transplanting.  

‘World Day Against Trafficking in Persons’

This important day is held every year on July 30 to raise awareness around the circumstances and conditions that enable trafficking and the impact of this on victims. The theme for this year for the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons is ‘Victims’ Voices Lead the Way’ highlighting the importance of learning from survivors of human trafficking as they have a huge role in identifying and saving other victims and supporting them on their way to rehabilitation, and ultimately eradicating this crime.

It is estimated that 6 400 000 children a year in India are victims of trafficking

This number is larger than the entire population of New Zealand!

·       DASRA in a 2014 report stated that approximately 16 million women are victims of sex trafficking in India a year, with 40% of them are adolescents and children.

·       It is estimated that 95% of trafficked persons in India are forced into prostitution. Many children are also exploited for forced labour, or have their organs (mostly their kidneys) removed.

·       The ongoing COVID crisis in India has resulted in larger numbers of people impacted by poverty, and thus the number of women and children trafficked has increased.

·       More than 70 per cent of victims are illiterate and 50 per cent of them have a family income of less than $1 (USD) per day.

According to the UN, globally one in every three victims detected is a child. Over the past 15 years the number of children among detected trafficking victims has tripled, while the share of boys has increased five times. Approximately 90 per cent of those trafficked belong to the most disadvantaged and marginalised groups in society. 

Many victims of human trafficking have traumatic post-rescue experiences during interviews and legal proceedings. In their attempts to get help, they often experience ignorance, misunderstanding, victimisation and punishment for offences their traffickers had them commit. Particularly sad, is the rejection from family, neighbours and community that many victims when they return to their home. This happens in India and Bangladesh where many girls are labelled as dirty and therefore are not regarded as eligible for marriage. Many victims return to their life of trafficking as they have no other options. This is where Project Help India has an important role in the rescuing ‘process’ as we work alongside not just the victims, but with their parents, family and community, to achieve healing and positive rehabilitation. Our school communities within the slums provide the context for this to happen, and are built on trust and growing respectful relationships.

A PROJECT HELP STORY

Currently Project Help India is frequently working and meeting with the Human Trafficking Police Unit in Uttarakhand. Earlier this year we discovered that 5 or 6 kids were sold interstate under a deal from their family members who needed money for their drug and alcohol addictions. The kids were rescued and we provided counselling.

Raj* a boy from our Project Help India Disability Centre belongs to a very poor and needy family. Their condition is so bad they didn't have anything to eat as meal and they even don't have many things needed for day-to-day life. Their house only has one room. They don't have proper space to sleep and they don't have access to clean water, a toilet or bathroom. Raj has a younger brother, who he is not a student in any of our centres. One day Raj's mother came running here to the Project Help India office crying to Amit sir. She told Amit the whole story -that they are suffering. Due to a lack of money Raj’s father who is an alcoholic was going to sell his younger brother to some strange people who had been visiting the house. They were making a deal to sell his son.

We were all very frightened when we heard this and urgently made action against those people. We contacted the police who interrogated the father. He confessed that due to his addiction he was going to sell his boy to the strangers. The matter is currently with the police. 

Here in Uttarakhand, we see a lot of matters and these cases are especially common in the hilly areas of Uttarakhand where there's lack of education, money and the people have many types of addictions. Last but not least many people make deals to sell their children for money to satisfy their addictions. Project Help India is working educating parents and children about drug addiction and specifically human trafficking.

 * name changed to protect his privacy

Organ Trafficking

Aside from sex trafficking, India is also riddled with the problem of trafficking for organs. In 2007, the World Health Organisation described India as a “commonly known organ-exporting country”. It said organs from local donors were regularly sold and transplanted to foreigners even though the Human Organ Transplantation Act of 1994 banned organ trade in India. However, the problem hasn’t gone away. In July 2019, The Hindu uncovered an illegal organ trade racket in Delhi, including for kidney and liver, and involved police personnel, doctors and hospital administration staff. 

A PROJECT HELP STORY

The illegal organ trade occurs in Kotdwara which is known to be a centre for this dark and sinister industry. On numerous occasions our Director Amit has worked with the police to uncover situations where slum children are vulnerable and preyed upon, especially when their parents have no income. In 2019 Amit travelled with the police to Punjab where they rescued a number of children. Last year he rescued a child who was sold by her parents and taken to the neighbouring state of Uttar Pradesh.

#smallstepsbigpurpose

At Project Help we often use the hashtag #smallstepsbigpurpose

We are delighted to share 3 BIG things in the life of Project Help India, each of which started by taking that first small step … a simple step taken as a gesture of love with the purpose to meet a need that we see before us.

A most special wedding gift

I (Doug) first met Sharafat in 2015 after hearing of the news that he was badly injured after being hit by a car while walking on the roadside. The driver was on their phone. I visit Sharafat and his family every time I go to India, and he has become a dear friend who teaches me a lot about life, especially courage in the face of adversity. Since his accident Project Help India has supported him and his family with counselling, disability advocacy and financially with 1000rupee ($18AUD) a month.  Our Project Officer writes;

Today I am writing this report about Sharafat who was once been a part of our Slums Centre. Over 6 years ago he met with an accident and got injured in his spine and has been bed ridden since then. Sharafat belongs to a poor Muslim family in which his one brother is the only source of income who sells kites and other few toys and makes his earning. Project Help India gives a small monthly support to this family. During this recent lockdown the help we have given is the only finance the family has received and they have bought food just twice.

There are many festivals and related rituals in India, and a wedding is the most personal of these. For a brother, his sister’s marriage is significant. A brother and sister go through the thick and thin of life together, so when his sister gets married, he must buy a gift, which for his sister will be the most special of all the gifts she receives. For Sharafat, it was his sister who gave up her education to be able to pay for his medical expenses and care for him from the first day of his disability, and every day since.

Because Sharafat is disabled and cannot afford any gift for his sister’s marriage, he has no money, he can only dream of a gift. His disability is his curse, his shame and disappointment. But in his heart somewhere he has an idea and a hope, to ask for help from Mr. Amit Samuel, as Sir is the only one person other than his family, who have always stood by him. So, on 1st July Sharafat made a call to Mr. Amit Samuel Sir that it’s his sister’s marriage next week and he wants to gift a refrigerator to his sister. That same day in the evening Project Help India bought a fridge worth 16,800rupees ($300AUS) and sent it to Sharafat’s home.

This gift was the most unbelievable thing that had ever happened to the family Sharafat’s sister was in tears after seeing the gift, the family thanked a lot to Project Help India. We want to thank God and our wonderful sponsors, who made this dream come true for these people. 

During my last visit I (again Doug) chatted with Sharafat as he told his story -so if you would like to meet him click here.

375 000 meals made possible in 2020

2020 was a year of disruption, uncertainty, disappointment and for many, broken dreams. For most people in the slums of India, COVID brought fear, desperation, and hunger - especially during the 6 months of lockdown and restrictions. For many families, the support we provided was predominantly their only access to food and meals. Again, it was the generosity of our supporters, packaged with the efforts, persistence and creativity (in solving new and challenging problems) of our teams in Kotdwara, Bijnor and Chandigarh, that made it possible for us to either cook, or provide the cooking ingredients for approximately 375 000 meals. I am sure you’ll agree that this is a very BIG number! We are proud of this achievement and I honour our teams who worked so hard to make this possible.

Attached link here is our Annual Report for 2020, which outlines the many things that Project help India achieved across the year. As you will see, so much happened in just one year! Thank you Sue G, for helping with the financial summaries in the Annual Report.

Thank you ‘Janus Henderson Investors’

Last month we were thrilled, delighted, blown away (all understatements!!) to win a prize of $40 000US. This was all made possible thanks to a Claremont Dad who had heard about Project Help India and nominated us in the ‘2021 Charity Challenge’ where Janus Henderson employees are invited to nominate charities that they would like to give some extra support. Through this process we were awarded 1st Place of all 31 nominated charities in Asia and 3rd Place internationally. How incredible is this! These funds will specifically be directed to our work in educating and caring for children, and women’s empowerment. The announcement on the Janus Henderson LinkedIn page can be found here. It is such an encouragement for us to be recognised in this way, and the prize provides us with impetus for our vision to expand further.

Actually, it’s $40k and we are incredibly grateful.

Small steps of love

The small steps that we have taken together have made this big purpose possible. At the end of the day, it’s all about love. I encourage you to never underestimate the power and impact of your love in the lives of your family, friends, neighbours, workplace and community.

Isn’t this what the world needs?

Caste, privilege, understanding and compassion

I am incredibly proud to share with you how this week our team has faced and challenged some unspoken societal rules in the midst of the ongoing COVID crisis in India. The team inspires me with their empathy and awareness of the needs of those around them and in doing so, they make themselves vulnerable.

Imagine being part a group of people in Indian society who are regarded as so ‘low’ on the invisible caste hierarchy that they are not recognised as needing help during this pandemic? Yet these people work tirelessly (and with great pride in what they do) to keep people and their community safe. This is the story of the sanitation workers - the street cleaners of India. I have travelled close to twenty times to India over the past decade, and only this week have I learnt about these people. When I think about it, they are on the streets of every city. Yet, they are mostly unrecognised …just like the caste structures that bind and render them both powerless and accepting of their lot in life.

Also, this week I have started to read a challenging and most compelling book – ‘Caste: The Lies That Divide Us.’ Pulitzer Prize winning, bestselling author Isabel Wilkerson examines the unspoken caste system that shapes our society and shows how our lives today are defined by a hierarchy of human divisions. I have only read 2 chapters and it is already clear that I am constantly benefiting from a life of privilege defined by a powerful, invisible and unspoken system of divisions. Caste is here in Australia, it’s in the USA, and it’s a real and ugly force in India with millions born victim to the “lingering, millennia-long caste system.” Wilkerson powerfully writes;

“As we go about our daily lives, caste is the wordless usher in a darkened theatre, flashlight cast down in the aisles, guiding us to our assigned seats for a performance. The hierarchy of caste is not about feelings or morality. It is about power—which groups have it and which do not. It is about resources—which caste is seen as worthy of them and which are not, who gets to acquire and control them and who does not. It is about respect, authority, and assumptions of competence—who is accorded these and who is not.”

The story of the sanitation workers of Kotdwara (written by Project Help Field worker)

In India trash is not separated, most is dumped on the street and everything is mixed and put in one bag. Many times, and often under extreme weather conditions, sanitation workers encounter sanitary pads, expired medicines and broken glasses in trash bags. A lack of protective care makes sanitation work difficult even during normal times. During the pandemic, these factors make the street cleaners far more susceptible to the virus. When other countries are giving their sanitation workers the best facilities and protective equipment, in India these people use only a stick broom and a small tin plate. They clear the dirt, waste and animal faeces from public roads onto basket or other containers, which they then carry on their heads for disposal at the dumping ground. They work for municipalities, but are highly ignored from the government. They don’t even have access to gloves. At this time when a PPE kit is an essential part of work these workers receive nothing. These people are born into this role and most remain here for all of life.

At this time of pandemic when the health workers are getting at most priority of security from Coronavirus spread these health workers who are equally important to the society and are doing hard work, are totally neglected by the government they are not getting a single facility from the government. Seeing this an idea came to Mr Amit Samuel’s mind that when the team of Project Help India have appreciated the work of health workers and police, at the same time these COVID warriors -our sanitation workers - are equally important to our society so we should also appreciate them. In this regard today the team of Project Help India gave a set of masks, soap, hand sanitisers and a box of sweets to all the sanitation workers of Kotdwara. After getting the pack from the team of Project Help India one worker said;

“nobody cares for us. During normal days we receive nothing, so what can we expect now? We have no help and no hope from the government. We are thankful to Project Help India that you are appreciating our dedication towards our work, this packet means a lot to us.” 

I am so pleased that Amit and the team saw their need and responded with compassion. I learn so much from their actions and example. I am pleased that I have been made aware of the street cleaners of Kotdwara. I want to understand them better and I want to know their stories. As I read ‘Caste’ I learn of my need to gain awareness of what ‘my’ privilege is, so that I might be a more compassionate person and a more effective advocate for justice.

Philosopher and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh teaches;

“understanding leads to compassion, and compassion leads to love. If your goal at all in life is to be a better lover of other humans, you must understand them as best as you can.”

Through what the Project Help team has done this week I have seen that we can face caste head-on with understanding and compassion, which leads to love. As we get to know these beautiful people, we also learn about ourselves. And as we bring love, hope, dignity and purpose to their lives and circumstances our lives are changed, and we too, become better people.