SHIVAJINAGAR CRECHE

Our creche run under the India Population Programme at Shivajinagar, a densely populated market area , has had its share of ups and downs since it was started in July ‘95. It was first located in the main Russel Market building . Most of the students there were children of petty shop keepers and street vendors who would normally have no access to any form of schooling . Just as things were running smoothly, quite unknown to us, the spruced up premises were being coveted by a political party who wanted to set up their own office there . These people used strong aim tactics, had us unceremoniously evicted and occupied the place themselves. We were then allotted a place in the same locality, far away from the main market , making it difficult for some of the children to attend ; so they dropped out. The building we now had was old and dilapidated and there were endless problems with tramps breaking in at night, and messing up the place. Fortunately, the active involvement of the parents helped take care of the problem and the creche was up and running once more. Charts and posters brightened up the walls and the teachers and students settled down to their routine. Kailash Advani, a builder friend of Ashraya , put in play ground equipment and Kajolie Khanna , a volunteer at the creche , donated furniture and a fan.

This happy state of affairs did not last long . Requests to the authorities for repair of the building fell on deaf ears and one day the ceiling plaster started falling off in chunks. Fearing for the children’s safety we had no choice but to close the school. After appeals by our organisation and the parents of the children , the local Corporator arranged for alternate premises.

This time we were given two large rooms in an unused portion of the Corporation Junior College. As usual the place needed a good scrubbing , some repairs and painting. With all that done , the creche is running once again. It would be wonderful if we could continue undisturbed ! The creche provides a valuable service. Non- formal education, nutrition and health care which includes immunisation , are provided to the children completely free. This gives them a firm foundation before they enter regular school. It also frees the mothers to go out and work to better their financial situation.

SURYA VAZ
Editor