Building a Future for Brick Kiln Children in India

Pooja is 10 years old and her family have been coming to work at the brick kilns since before she was born. There’s no work in the village so they have to come to the brick kiln for work.Both her parents did not go to school and they have 5 children. Their eldest son is 16 and already married. He dropped out of school when he was 10 years old and is also working on the brick kiln to help pay off the family debt.  Pooja's parents are determined that their daughters are able to have a better life and would like them to stay in school until they are 18 years old.

When the family are not working in the brick kilns, Pooja and her younger sister attend the local village school. The non-formal classes at the brick kiln enable Pooja and her sister to keep on top of their school work and not fall behind. The curriculum is fun and engaging.  Pooja's Dad said that since attending the NFE his daughters regularly do their homework and like to share with them at the end of each day what they have learnt.

Pooja is also part of the student ministry which gives her the opportunity to develop leadership skills. She is the discipline minister and helps to organise seating arrangements. Her sister is the health minister and one of her jobs is to check the students hands are clean before they have their midday meal. Pooja likes playing, studying Marathi and reading.  Since going to the school she has learnt to read, write, new games, the alphabet, poems.  She likes the teacher – her face and how she explains things well. Her dream is to become a teacher.