Child labour

Padma is the eldest daughter of three children. Her family is very poor and its main livelihood source is the earning daily wages at a lime kiln. Padma dropped out from school. Due to the poor conditions of her family she accompanied daily her parents for working in the kiln. She studied up to 3rd class in a private school but then the family could not afford to pay tuition fees and school material anymore and she was made to stop her studies.

Padma was admitted into 5th class in ASSIST Rehabilitation school in Piduguralla where she showed her talent by obtaining an average of 93% in public examination and got recognition as the best student of school. Besides obtaining good marks, she has also shown her talent in games and was recognized as bet sport girl. After completion of 5th class, she entered Velugu school, Vinukonda, which provides free education up to 10th class.

Now, she is studying 8th class and her ambition is to become a doctor to serve the poor people. She wants to continue her studies up to 10th class in the same school. Her father is requesting ASSIST to help her financially to enable her to complete at least up to degree level so that she may achieve her ambition of becoming a Doctor.

Brahaiah lives with his family in Maruthinagar and he is the second son of three children. Brahmaiah’s father daily goes to work in lime kiln as daily wage worker, while his mother works as domestic servant in houses. This family lives with other Erukala tribal families and do not have any relations with other communities, they follow their own traditional customs and are not educated. Almost every member of these families, irrespective of age, drink cheep liquor. Brahmaiah’s father is addicted to cheep liquor and on some days doesn’t go to work. Because of the difficult financial situation of the family Brahaiah was sent to work in kilns at the age of 11.

ASSIST field workers have met Brahmaiah in the kilns and they have personally met family members and created awareness on the importance of education to children and on the reservations that the government is providing to Scheduled Tribe communities in Government jobs. Several mass meetings were also organized to bring awareness among Erukala community on the eradication of child labour. Several cultural camps were also conducted through Melukolupu team to bring awareness among these people regarding the importance of education.

Keeping in view the future of their children, the elders of the village realised the situation and responded very well, stopping their children to go for work. Thus in 2002 Brahmaiah was admitted into the Rehabilitation School in Piduguralla. At the beginning he could not mix up with children but gradually, he has developed interest and has shown improvements in his studies. He has completed successfully 3rd class. Keeping in view his age and interest in studies, he was admitted to 5th class by providing him books and necessary study material. After completion of 5th class in ASSIST school, he was admitted into 6th class through entrance examination in MPUP Government school in Piduguralla.

At present he is studying in 9th class in Z.P. High school, Piduguralla and is determined to continue education. Now Brahmaiah aspires to become a teacher after completion of his studies.