My Experience with Rag Pickers in the Slums of IndiaRimmy and Rafael went to the cemetery (Yes, the cemetery!) where the small children have classes and games. At present there is no other place. Inbanathan and I went to the Vivekanagar slum area.In the beginning I was frightened by the behavior of the street children. They spoke nonsense, played up and acted as if they were mad. I really didn't like to speak with them at first, but somehow, as time went on, I could get along with them. By the second day the boys were very friendly with me. They started speaking to me and we also played together. I slowly came to realize that they were very clever in their own way. In the afternoon, Thiru, a lay member of REDS and I went to a shopkeeper where there were some boys who sold newspapers. REDS means Rag pickers Education and Development Scheme. Because I am an electrician, I was asked to show some of the boys a few basic electrical skills. My experience showed me how these children have to struggle in order to live. Their life is full of misery. It is even difficult for them to get a square meal a day. Many of them go to bed on an empty stomach. We can really be a means to helps them out of their difficulties and to see that they become good children with opportunities equal to those of the more fortunate. J A Mariados MSC Student |
