In May, 2000 our Centre was approached by the Pradhan of Gyaspur
Colony with request that we should conduct Non- formal education program
for their children as there is no school in their area (copy of the
letter of Pradhan attached). Our Center considered this request,
surveyed the area and found that the condition was indeed pathetic.
Looking from top of the wide road bridge made by Japanese Government the
cluster of the small hutment on the bank of Yamuna we suddenly found
ourselves in all together different world. As we were entered things in
store for us became clearer. A cluster of 340 Jhuggis this area does not
have drinking water, no doctor, no medical facility from Government, no
drainage, no school just human beings living in sub human conditions.
There were many children but none was going to school. In some cases
where parent could afford also the children were not going to school
because of prohibitive distance of the school and not availability of
school transport. And what were the children doing the whole day? They
were playing cards, smoking cigarettes and bidi roaming around and
playing.
Under these circumstances our Centre decided to start an elementary
education program for these children. This program was started in May
2000 with 30 children and now we have 135 children under this program.
We intend to increase this number to 200. We hold the classes in open
under shadow of the trees.
