Sangeeta (aged 8) was found at Gorakhpur Railway station. She ran away from her home in Darbhanga, Bihar. Her mother was died when she was only 3 years. According to Sangeeta, "My father always forced me to beg at railway stations. At the end of the day he took away all the money. If for some reason the "earning" was not enough, I was beaten up badly." She refuses to return "home" so COME volunteers are counselling her. At present she lives at "Gayadham" one of the homes set up by COME for underprivileged children. She attends regular classes and is doing well in studies.
Mala (aged 9) lost her father in a road accident when she was only 7. A year later, her mother died of complications of illness due to lack of medicine. Since then she slept outside a temple in Gorakhpur City. She was handed over to our home there by the police authorities. According to Mala, "Life was tough on the streets. I couldn't sleep at night due to cold in the winters. My meals depended on the mercy of people visiting the temple. Many times I slept without food." Mala is now a healthy kid living at Apna Ghar in the city. She goes to school and doing well. She will benefit from continued counselling and protection in the home.
Jitender (aged 7). Our volunteers spotted a very weak dumb & deaf boy who hardly could walk, begging at Gorakhpur Station. After giving him some food and care he opened up and surprised us all when he started talking. According to Jitender, "I pretend to be Deaf & Dumb. It helps me in my work (begging). People feel pity for me and give money.” Jitender claims to remember nothing about his parents or his home. He grew up begging at a very young age. He doesn't feel that begging is wrong or strange. We have begun the long process of counselling Jitender – He still lives in Apna Ghar and can now read and write. He is attending regular classes.
When I first met Ramjeet
Two years ago when Ramjit met me he had no hope to continue his studies. Ramjit a 16 years old Schedule Tribe boy looked hopeless when he met me two years ago. It was difficult for his parents to support all the four children in the family. His father is a labour, earns little which is not enough to support all his four children and wife. Ramjit is visually challenged by birth his right eye is totally gone but he can see partially (25%) by his left eye. We motivated Ramjit to continue his studies. We helped him with his fee and educational materials. He was weak in Mathematics and Science subjects. We arranged for a private tutor. The first year the result was average. He was expecting better result. I could see a willingness/determination to prove himself in him. We continued his private tuition. We motivated him to sit in the entrance exam to get admission in Polytechnique colleges. Ever year about two hundred and fifty thousand students compete to sit for twenty five thousand seats available. He sat for the exam and it was a matter of great pleasure for all of us that he has qualified for the Polytechnique College. His families who don’t know the meaning of poly are aware that something Ramjet has achieved something good. Ramjit is full of confidence since his selection to polytechnique is achieved.
