School for Street Kids

 
Sometimes you see things that change the way you look at the world forever and sometimes you see things that open your eyes to hope where originally from your reference point there was none.  I have just had one of those experiences...

 This morning we travelled by metro to an area of Delhi in which the streets where lined with people sleeping upon them and in make shift shelters, amongst all of these was an encampment where for a brief few moments we spoke to a group of adults all sat outside in the blazing sun who were pulling apart batteries to salvage and meltdown all recoverable and re-sellable materials, materials such as lead.  This secondary lead smelting process unless properly contained which it obviously is not causes lead pollution both the air and ground surrounding peoples homes resulting in long term health issues and ultimately death.  Until now I had not given it much thought but leading up to this point we had passed mass open air refuge collection on the city streets that was being combed through by people it is perhaps a necessary evil to allow people employment of at least some type.

From this place we wound through a series of narrow covered streets in a bizarre covered market from which without warning our guide Sanjay ushered us up an extremely steep stair case and into a one room school for street kids.  These are children who are here through luck it's self these children are often the victims of physical and sometimes sexual abuse or who would otherwise be forced to work begging, cleaning car windshields, hawking magazines at road junctions or even stealing in order to raise enough money for their parents whom in the most part are either alcoholics or drug addicts.  It is heartbreaking when the realisation hits you that for these children some who are barely walking that this is both their first, last and only chance to break the cycle.  I do not care to imagine what lives these children have had to face and endure even at this early age but can only be humbled at the openness and warmth that they show within moments of our group entering their school. 

As ever my camera is a huge fascination for them and they take turns in having their photo's taken immediately demanding to see the images then start fighting with each other over the opportunity to have on more photo than everyone else.  Whilst behind every child's eyes there is a deep sadness there is still hope that exists and they are soon showing this hope and dare I say it even ecstatic happiness that there within their tiny school are six adults who are sitting with them, playing with them, helping with their school work and in just giving a little of our time and a few chocolate eclairs these children are somewhere else, a happier place.

What struck me the most though is their humility and kindness despite everything, yes they are tough they have had to be and have so very little of their own yet I sat with one small boy who was unable to unwrap his few sweets and as I unwrapped the last one for him he tried to give me his last one as a thank you for that small amount of help.

Whilst it is impossible to change the world, being able to change the world of this small group of children for even a short time is something that I will be forever thankful for.  I can only hope that these children can continue their education and that a better world awaits them.