A non-profit organization that aims to enrich the lives of under-privileged children in Bangalore and beyond through basic education, health care, and nourishment Construction workers are brought here with their families from different parts of India, and are put up in slums as well. While local workers have the chance to put their children into government schools for the poor, nomadic workers do
not because they are here only temporarily; as soon as their project is over, they are forced to move on to the next town or back home. Meanwhile, the children are totally neglected while their parents work and are left to fend for themselves in these unfortunate circumstances that surround slums in India. Our mission is to give these children the opportunity to escape the throes of malnourishment, physical and sexual abuse, disease, and illiteracy that, throughout the country, lead them towards uncompromising futures at a very young age; prostitution, begging on the streets, forced child-labor. We currently operate at two sites with a total of over 100 children between the ages two and twelve, spending three hours a day at each; outside the Byappanahalli Metro Depot in Bangalore, where metro construction workers' families are "housed," and the other at a slum in Benagenahalli, also in Bangalore. While the camps are conducted within the slums, our main concept is a Mobile Classroom; a customized bus fit with all our needs. The bus, to be commissioned on April 1st, 2011, will provide room for the children to sit, eat, learn basic English, get health check-ups and enjoy playing and watching videos in a space away from the bedraggled, unsafe conditions of their daily environment. There is a miniature clinic installed at the back with room for consultations and medicinal administration, and a television connected at the front for recreational and educational purposes. We are by no means qualified as a school; however, learning and understanding numbers and the alphabet are invaluable to these children. Not only are they curious and excited to learn, they are equally capable of it. Moreover, they are taught - and are very successful at - basic etiquette, manners, and hygiene; a far cry from even some of the most successful businessmen and politicians in India. The lessons, from the start, have been taught by Anubandha's founder, Anupama Reddy, and she is now assisted by a part-time teacher. Food is prepared daily by our two cooks and brought to each site. Once the bus is in place, the food will be stored in a compartment specifically built to contain and preserve, and can be transported from site to site with safety and ease. Finally, our medical partnerships with local hospitals and doctors who volunteer their services enable us to conduct health camps once a month, where general physicians and pediatricians treat for illnesses typical to the environmental conditions these children face. Our goal is to access as many sites and children in Bangalore as possible. With increased funding and partnerships with local and international NGOs, we hope to expand with additional buses, more staff to cope with the numbers, and ultimately help set up similar programs around the rest of India. Meanwhile, we will also be reporting on our progress, including stories about the children themselves, through our blog. These are stories that somehow escape the grasp of India's expansive media. They will not intend to invoke pity, but rather to inspire compassion, understanding, and awareness over the lives that 100s of millions of people lead in the second-fastest-growing economy on Earth. As we are still in the start-up phase, any and all comments and ideas are welcomed. If you are interested in helping out - whether through your invaluable time, finances, or contacts, please feel free to reach out to us at the numbers or email listed below. Our vision is boundless, but we are certain we can achieve our goals with your gracious generosity and ingenuity.
