And our wish of trying to make a small contribution in trying to achieve a fairer world is what has made our destinies come together in this city full of joy and colour, but where the shortage of basic necessities is still very visible. We are a group of volunteers from different places around Europe that, with our backpack, we go all over Kolkata sharing our time with the people from here, and we
take in through our eyes and hearts all the good things we receive from them. And with Christmas almost here we would like to take a bigger step forward. "A mano a mano" is a project that belongs to the italian organization "Gocce nell’oceano Onus", that for the last three years, dedicates its time satisfying the needs of the Nimtala community, a slum located on the Hoogli riverside. One of its main goals is to be able to use the skills of the inhabitants of the slum and transform them into job opportunities, mainly in the textile industry. Another of its main interests is the health and hygiene problems of the slum, which is the most important problem the slum has. The organization has a medical dispensary and they provide medical care to the patients. But, especially, since its foundation, the basis of this project was established in order to improve the education of the children of the slum, and this is what we want to focus on. It is not easy to erradicate poverty in slum areas due to the fact that generation after generation, children have to start working at a very early age instead of going to school. Also older siblings, in many cases, are the ones in charge of looking after the younger ones, therefore it is not possible for them to go to school. That is why "A mano a mano" forecasts the creation of a new project "house of the child", which would be a day centre for children up to six years old. This iniciative's goal is to stop children being in the streets and to tutor them before starting school. The children would be separated into different groups depending on their age, providing them with english lessons and games that help the development of skills and civil conduct. Up to date, the organization already has under rent the facilities where this project is starting to take place. Every day for about three hours, around fifty or sixty children of all ages are fostered and removed from slum life, smiling as adult life is temporaliry pushed aside. There is still a lot to be done, and here is where we want to step in. We know that ambition may not be a very good guide, but even a very little would still make us happy. Our aim is to raise funds to be able to provide the school material that these children need. We are conscious that on our tight budget it is not possible for us to achieve this goal, and this is where we ask for your help. With any kind of colaborarion we will be grateful for, no matter the quantity, something is always better than nothing. No matter how small, we would like to thank in advance to those of you who donate part of your savings to our cause and for helping. It is very important for us to feel we have your support from so far away, and knowing that you trust our project. We will have to be your eyes and hands here. It has been quite easy to carry forward this iniciative surrounded by so many people with so much interest and enthusiasm in wanting to make a difference. We do live in a different country, with a different culture and different ways, but we live together and think together. If there is one thing That we have learnt during this time it is that FAMILIES ARE ALSO FORMED IN KOLKATA. On behalf of the children we are very grateful to you as they donnot chose where to be born. To see them smile is what encourages us to keep on believing that a better world is possible, it is well known that peace begins with a smile.
