REHABILITATION AND PROTECTION TO CHILDREN

Transcription

1 REHABILITATION AND PROTECTION TO CHILDREN WORKING IN FLOAT MINES IN BELLARY DISTRICT INTERIM REPORT (October to December 08) Presented to By Don Bosco, 75 North Road Bangalore Karnataka, INDIA. (91) ,

2 Introduction The project Rehabilitation and Protection of children working in float Mines supported by Yojana aimed to work towards child development, which enhances human development. The project focused on the mining children issues. Now the families working in mines are in a difficult situation due to the sudden fall of the mines which effects their income and mining schools too. Activities realised during the reporting period During this reporting the following issues has taken place in the mining area. The present status of Camp Schools: Hospet region is famous for iron ore mining. There was a steady demand for iron ore in India and some foreign countries. There was a sudden rise in the demand of iron ore when China entered in the Indian market in as a big buyer of iron ore and it led to a boom with the price of iron ore. In Hospet-Sandur region high grade quality iron ore is available abundantly and is much in demand and mining was a major economical activity. Not less than trucks were transporting iron ore to ports like Goa, Karwar, Mangalore and Chennai. It was also transported by railways. The average price of the iron ore was $ 145 a tonne. These activities attracted many people as work force even from distant places of Karnataka. These activities were flourishing till recently. But now there is a steep decline in the price of the iron ore. Currently it is $ 70 a tonne. As a result, ore extraction is reduced and transportation of iron ore has almost come to a halt. Meanwhile China stopped placing orders for iron ore. This is an added reason. Because of these reasons most of the small scale iron ore extractors. Many of them are illegal mining people- stopped the mining activities. The people working with these illegal mining activities are badly affected. Lorry drivers are also affected very much. Lorries and heavy earth moving machineries have been lying idle and the owners are worried over repayment of loans and also payment of wages to drivers and cleaners. And, traders, who have stock on hand, are sitting idle. Some petty shops are also affected since the illegal mining has stopped because they have no more customers. The illegal mining owners who had iron ore stock find difficult now since there is no demand.

3 A few people are working in the mining areas now. Some of them are going for work in construction companies in and around Hospet town on a temporary basis. While others have moved to farther places searching for work but they did not shift their huts from the mining areas. Their expectation is that the mining activities will resume shortly. In fact illegal mining owners are still having dialogue with political leaders and state government. It is for daily survival of the people and not for making it legal mining. If there is mining, wheather it is legal or illegal mining, people who are working in the mines will bring their children along with them, because children will be with the parents especially those who are coming from far away. The NGO s, Labour department, Municipality, child welfare committee and thasildar work together in order to eradicate child labour and protect the children. At present we are running all the four camp schools but the number of children in the camp schools were reduced considerably say on an average it is 80 only. Bridge School-Don Bosco Snehalaya: In Snehalaya ( Bridge school supported by Yojana), the children are grouped into three according to the level of their ability and learning. Besides study and classes, the children are given opportunities to develop their talents which are personal and group in nature. They learn a lot in living together, playing together and sharing together. They learn to keep environment clean and surrounding hygienic through a little work they do as morning jobs and evening gardening. There is sufficient time for entertainment like watching television, games, group dynamics, competitions, films, outing, adventure walk and picnics. They also get training in group singing, dancing, drawing and crafts etc., Self Help Groups & Training programme for SHG Leaders: Children s day programme was conducted by Self Help Groups from 14 th November to 21 st November in various wards and villages. They not only organised the programme but also distributed some valuable prizes for them in order to encourage them in their studies.

4 it was very encouraging to note such gestures of love. During this reporting time 6 new SHGs were formed. Training for self help group: On 19 th October, 262 leaders of SHG groups came together for participating a training programme. The training is focused the topics such as working together, planning and implementation and on rights of the women. There was also a discussion on the role of the leader in the group. On October 21 st, 65 new SHG members came forward to learn how to write SHG Accounts and report books. Campaign for Hospet District For getting more rights and development, the p eople in the hospet and nearby taluks started a continues agitation for declaring the hospet as a district. For 100 days continuously, either organisations/ institutuions were having protest meetings for Hospet district. The 25 th November 08 was the 100 th day of the protest. On this day there were 100 groups from Hospet Taluk came together and conducted rally and Protest for Hospet District. The survey shows that Hospet could be made a District since the number of people are more, number of Taluk are more and 60Km away from Bellary District. And so along with other groups Don Bosco Technical Students and the SHG group involved totally in the protest campaign. Children s day programme by SHG Groups Don Bosco Hospet Conducted Children s day programme for Mining children, Children from various tuition centres at Hospet Taluk on 8 th November 08. Both mining children and tuition children had sports as well as cultural events. Around 400 children took part in the programme Mrs. & Mr. Jan from Holland were the chief guests for the function. In his message to the children Mr.Jan high-lighted on the point that Integratual development of the children is very essential, most relavent and fitting today. They also gave away prizes for the winners. The children were immensely happy to come over to Don Bosco and to cherish the childhood fun. During concluding programme 4 students who obtained highest rank in SSLC and PUC were honoured by giving cash Rs.500/- for the frist rank and Rs.300/- for the second rank and shield award by SHG groups.

5 Tuitions Centers (Supplementary education): On 23 rd October 245 children form town area gathered at Don Bosco for a day of orientation and training. During the day they were led to fruitful discussions particularly related to importance of education. These children are school drop outs followed up by the project and some have placed back in school. Ageing between 10 & 14, they did have a useful day of learning, sharing and fun that has led to increased motivation. The project hopes to continue to monitor them towards proper up brining. SDMC and Task Force Committee: During this reporting period on 15 th of Oct, 12 th nov and 14 th of December, the school Development and monitoring committee (SDMC) members are once again made aware of their rights and duties towards improving the quality of education, conducting sports and games for the children etc., There are other specific roles like authorizing to sanction funds for the proper maintains of the school and to make more class rooms, store room and building toilet. After the initiaition of this programme, there has been improvement in the overall functioning of the school. The drop out has also decreased. There is discipline in the school. school environment is kept clean and teachers are punctual. Impact of the project: 1. Personality of the children in the Bridge course shows a marked improvement. 2. Initiatives of the staffs have seen in various fields. 3. Commitment and responsibility of the children exhibited in their behaviors and study. 4. There is generosity and social concern from the part of the children who are rehabilitated. 5. In the Bridge course children learn discipline. Account for the period Oct- Dec 08 Sl.No. Particulars Amount (Rs) 1. Boarding and Lodging 71, Study material and stationery 12, Health care slipping facality 3, Travel and petrol cost 12, Salary to the director 18, Salary coordinator 16, Salary village animator 91,105.00

6 8 Salary teachers/warden 31, Salary cook 10, Salary asst.cook 8, Salary office staff 10, Administrative expenses 11, Total 295, Money Received from Yojana (4 th Quarter) Conclusion There are strengths and weaknesses going through this reporting period. Over all impact of the project gives a lot of joy especially when children are taken care of. The project is very grateful to the donor for giving lot of importance to the life of the children.