An oasis for urban slum children- ONE GOOD STEP's education initiatives in North Bengaluru

 Nisha (name changed) is almost a parent to her infant brother. At the tender age of 6, she is expected to bathe, feed and care for her younger siblings and do household chores while her parents are at work. Raja (name changed) was paralysed waist down due to an industrial accident. Roles reversed in his family when his young daughter had to become the primary caregiver to her father. 

In the slums of Peenya in North Bengaluru, family units do not function the way most of us understand them to be. For most urban children their age, the only responsibility is to get ready for school in the morning, not for these children who are integral to running households. 

12 year old Payal (name changed) is the daughter of a single mother- her father died a few years back. Single women with daughter(s) are often easy targets in ecosystems such as these. While her mother was at work, Payal faced physical and sexual abuse. Complaints to her mother were brushed off for long until the girl gathered the courage to video-record one instance and show it as proof. Payal is not the only one facing such abuse. 

School sessions on Good touch-Bad touch seem tame in front of the abuse that these children face. Very few are able to open up about the abuse they face and fewer are able to garner intervention. 

Most children in this slum fight a brave battle dealing with harsh personal circumstances. The parents are daily-wage labourers, truckers and factory workers. The children value the opportunity to study and be in school. But born to illiterate and poor parents, they are inherently disadvantaged against kids who come from educated households. Unable to read until they step into school, with no support or guidance from their parents, and with an education system that does not hand hold such children, the problem compounds with the years. By the time they have reached high school, academic disadvantage is quite severe. 

Patterns of dysfunctional families, an early exposure to vices and frustrating academic disadvantage are repeating patterns in urban slums such as these. Is it possible to create a tangible impact in the lives of these children? Amitha Pai, Founder of ONE GOOD STEP is not enamoured by the word 'impact'. "The word impact makes it seem as if we have a wand in our hands that can magically transform the lives of these children. That is far fetched." Amitha was heading up the proverbial ladder in the corporate space, but a few years down the line she began to wonder if there was purpose to her work and life. After much thinking and looking within, she quit a lucrative career and decided to do something meaningful. But with no experience in the social sector and coming from the corporate arena, there was much learning and unlearning to do. Amitha decided that the only way forward was to not be overwhelmed at the path ahead and just take one good step at a time and that was the beginning of ONE GOOD STEP, a four and a half year old NGO with projects in social development needs, healthcare in poor communities and education through school/student development projects, serving Bengaluru and the neighboring districts of Chikkaballapura, Nelamangala, Tumkur and Kolar. 

"Children from the slums of Peenya attend the Government High School (GHS-Peenya). We realised that there was a dire need for intervention given the circumstances they faced everyday. What we also noticed was that in spite of these circumstances, the children showed enormous resilience and were hungry for opportunities. To show up at school with a smile on your face despite the grim reality of their homes were huge lessons in gratitude for me", says Amitha. One Good Step set up a counselling unit for girls who faced abuse and boys too who found themselves in vulnerable situations. The children are counselled on gender, abuse, child rights, challenging stereotypes, and interventions where required are facilitated. 

There was also an acute need for positive outlets for their energies and frustrations. Music and Dance lessons were instituted with the intention of providing a fun learning atmosphere. The hope also was to instill a sense of self worth in these children and show them that a happy space is possible despite the odds being against them. "Music and dance are inherently therapeutic and the response to these classes has been enormously enthusiastic. Our intention is not to create musicians or performers. In all likelihood, these children will give up on these arts once they complete Grade 10. But while they are here, they look forward to these pockets of fun and learning every week." 

Amitha recalls that not all initiatives or programmes were instituted by her NGO. In a heart warming instance, girls of Grade 8 came up with a request for tailoring classes. Vocational training was a practical solution given the future that they saw themselves stepping into. Academic and non-academic support systems are essential for these children. Sewing units were set up at GHS-Peenya and the girls have eagerly lapped up the lessons. 

With projects in over 40 schools, GHS Peenya stands out because of the large number of students enrolled (around 800), a head mistress who is as invested in these initiatives as One Good Step and discerning students who are eager to work hard. "To ace the state exams under such trying circumstances are success stories that can inspire anyone. Talking to these children can get you thinking about the several uncomfortable questions that we tend to brush aside. But more importantly, it gets us thinking of all the difficult questions that we must ask those in power." says Amitha. 

So can these education initiatives be replicated at other government schools? How can an individual contribute towards such initiatives or initiate programmes themselves? "I did not come with experience, guidance or a structured format in mind when I began with One Good Step. If I can do it, so can anyone else. What is required is some definitive thought towards what can be done to improve conditions for a  school or institution near you. It may begin with small steps of buying essentials or spending some time with the children but eventually the needs become apparent and one can then focus their work towards that end. For all the activism that people propound on social media platforms and the like, it would be worthwhile to invest your time and energy towards one school near you." 

While NGOs like One Good Step strive to provide a positive environment for urban slum children, how can other urban citizens and families contribute? "Urban landscapes are increasingly becoming bubbles and therefore children from privileged backgrounds rarely interact with children from socially or economically disadvantaged backgrounds. It is important that parents build bridges for their children. To learn of a reality different from theirs can go a long way in raising empathetic individuals." says Amitha. The dreary life of urban slums can become toxic. To build oases such as these for children to be nurtured in the right direction is no small feat. 

Published in Grassroots (Press Institute of India) . Do not copy/share in part or full without permission of the Editor.