New Year, New School, New Hope

 April 16, 2009

Yesterday was the Bengali New Year, and throughout the day I received calls from friends wishing me "Shubo Nobo Bosho!" It was indeed a joyous day for ten children from Kidderpore's red light area. These children have been enrolled in a very well-known boarding school outside of Kolkata. They left today after saying goodbye to their mothers, who are so excited that their children will no longer grow up inside a brothel. I went to say goodbye and asked the kids if they were nervous about leaving. But all of them smiled and proudly said, "No, didi, we're happy because there's a good school and more kids to play with!"

For the first time in their lives, these children won't need to witness their mother's suffering. They won't have to be hungry or thirsty. They won't have to accept the ridicule and stigma from other classmates or teachers just because of their address.  And most importantly, they won't be forced into prostitution.

Some of the children are already sponsored by TEN's school sponsorship program, but most of them do not have a sponsor yet. Sponsors get a profile of their child, including photograph, family background, and school report. The money goes directly to the boarding school, which includes for the children's uniform, books, stationary, food and lodging. If you are interested in sponsoring a child, please contact us for more information.