These children come from the Topsia Squatter Community – a strip of land between 2 sewage canals. They are among the poorest and most marginalised in Kolkata (Calcutta). Opportunities for these children are rare but, thanks to you, Tiljala SHED provides a safe space and educational support for 600 children for 3 hours every day after-school. Sometimes others are prepared to cross the bridge over the stinking effluent to help out. In this case Mr Das, a black-belt Taekwondo teacher, conducts training in our community centre every Saturday and Sunday. The youngsters love it and are doing very well.
Last week Mr Das took five of them to the West Bengal Taekwondo championships. Three of the five youngsters won medals – amongst a crowd of over 300 participants. An experience like this shows all the children that they CAN participate and succeed in mainstream society. The martial art makes the girls feel safer, provides an outlet for their energy and a much needed break from the daily traumas of living in poverty, in unsanitary conditions and with the crime and violence that attend them.
It costs just *INR1200 per month to provide a child with 3 hours of after school tuition 5 days a week, homework support, remedial teaching, song, dance, art and craft, daily healthy snacks PLUS Taekwondo and sport coaching at the weekend.