The Slumdog Children
of Mumbai
LASTEST NEWS
Deepa
After discussing Deepa's situation with Deepa herself and her grandmother, Shobha, they and Batul decided that the best option for Deepa was to go to a home run by the Don Bosco Foundation, the same organisation that took Salaam in. Don Bosco were happy to take Deepa, and last Sunday (17th Jan) Deepa packed a bag and went with Batul and Shobha to the school. Batul takes up the story:- "Sadly once we got there she changed her mind and refused to stay, she cried and cried and so of course we took her back. The trouble is that although there are lovely sisters in charge, there are only 12-15 girls, from 3 to 18, living in a room under the convent, so she didn't feel at home. They are sent to a Marathi municipal school for a year, then to a private school, and given additional classes in computers, English, etc. They were bright and happy, but mostly street kids, which Deepa is not, so she felt uncomfortable. Shobha and I were a bit afraid that if we left her she may try to take the train (the station is only 5 mins. away) and think she could head back home, in which case we may put her into a more dangerous situation. So I'm going to look at Goraj again, near Baroda. Santosh is also meeting her next week. A few of his friends are interested in helping the kids, and are willing to put together some money. He said he's had a look at a residential school in Pune (200 kms away from here) which may take Deepa and her two younger brothers."
Salaam
As you know from the end of the film, Salaam ran away from the Don Bosco home just before the film was broadcast. But there has been good news since then. This is from Father William, the director of the Don Bosco shelter. "Salaam ran away from the deaddiction centre at Lonavla and was on the railway platform at the Victoria Terminus Station. But our staff members tracked him down and he agreed to come back to Shelter. He was here with us for few days. This morning [21st January] he told us about his family, gave us the address and the mobile no. of his father. As a result I spoke to his father on the phone (his mother too spoke to me). Next week someone will go and verify the family (I think Batul may go as well) and take pictures for the file and only after proper verification I will get back to you. Salaam's father is happy that we take care of his child and willing to give his consent in writing. While Salaam was with us we had enrolled him in a dance school, something that he loves so much but even that did not motivate him stay with us. But hopefully now he will stay."
Hussan & Hussein
The twins are well and happy and still obstinately enjoying their freedom and refusing to contemplate school. Batul has been trying to persuade them to consider going, but she cannot force them! This is the latest from Batul on the twins:- "I just met some fantastic people in Dharavi. They run the Sri Sri Ravi Shanker Vidyalaya in Dharavi. The place is like a bright calm happy oasis amidst all the chaos of Dharavi slum. They have fabulous teachers. And every child has a similar background to Hasan and Husein's. In 2 years they've done wonders with these kids. It wouldn't be too far to go to school for them, 1 stop on the train, and they could even walk at a crunch. They have 1 teacher to every 20 kids, and know that they would have to give individual attention to the twins. Now we have a meeting slated with the kids after the 24th. One of the teachers also suggested that they straight away start with vocational training, let the twins study only computers for the next 5 years, and maybe give their written board exams externally if they want to. Hopefully this will tempt the boys. Now it's only left to persuade them to go. The toughest task.
The website for the school is www.ssrvm.org
Deepa
Salaam
Hussan & Hussein
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Deepa, Salaam, Hussan and Hussein are just four of many hundreds of thousands of children living in the slums of Mumbai. If you would like to send a donation to the children in the documentary, click on the button to donate via PayPal.