Education for 600 Vulnerable Children in Kolkata

Whenever I visit Kolkata my top priority and absolute favourite visit is to our education centres. 600 children from Kolkata's canalside and railway squatter camps come every day after school for our classes. They love the joyful environment, learning songs, dancing and crafts. They receive remedial help with their school work and plenty of extra tuition from our dedicated teaching staff. We ensure they are properly fed and look out for their safety, noting any problems at home or at school and providing any additional help they need.  The most important outcome of our classes is the love of learning and the children's enthusiasm to continue their education and aspire to a better life. Below some of the children tell their own stories.

KASHMIRA
I am Kashmira, 11, studying in Class IV (Topsia Primary School). My father is a rag picker; my mother a domestic help. I stay beside the sewage canal in Topsia; the city wastewater passes our hut. Our family income is around Rs 200 to Rs 300 a day; during the rainy season, the income is lower as paper and waste rates decline.
It would not have been possible for me and my four siblings to study without Tiljala SHED’s support. We are first-generation learners. My favourite subject is maths and I aspire to become a doctor.

AAFREEN
I am Aafreen, 10, studying in Class IV of Topsia Primary school. I aspire to become a doctor. My hobby is dancing. My father passed away when I was small. My mother’s run the family by selling Aaloo chatpati and jhaalmuri. We are four siblings. I stay beside the sewage canal in Topsia; the city wastewater passes our hut. I am the first-generation learners of our family.
I plan to change the destiny of my family with the power of education. I aspire to become a doctor. I will leave no stone unturned to achieve my goal.
It is the support from Tiljala SHED that we are still able to attend school and continue our education. My mother earns a small income of 250-300 a day which is very difficult to run the family. Your support will bring smile to us and help me to stay in school.

ALTAMASH
I am Altamash, 11, studying in V in a government school, staying beside the sewage canal in Mir Meher Ali Lane; the city waste-water passes our hut. I want to become a Professor (Scholar). My father is involved in leather cutting and mother a homemaker. My favourite subject is English and loves to play with my friends in my spare time. My family monthly income is Rs.8000 (US$ 100). We are 3 siblings. Tiljala SHED has supported me throughout my education, otherwise I would have been a drop out.

Note the gap between their own ambitions and their parents' reality. The kids best hope for a better future is education. Without our classes the children drop out of school aged between 10 and 13. The boys become labourers and the girls are married off, thus perpetuatin the cycle of poverty, illiteracy and misery.

Your contribution of just £11/$14 a month provides hope for one of these children. Please consider a regular donation.

Thank you