Helping prevent child labor through Nandana

NANDANA is a school established by Sri Venkateswara Balakuteer for Child Labourers. It is located inChodavaram near Guntur, surrounded by stone quarries, zinning and spinning mills, tobacco companies etc. The school staff meets the parents of the children being turned into child labourers and tries to make them understand the value of education. They try to convince the parents about the need for these children to be sent to school, for a better future. This way, Nandana is trying to break the shackles of child labour and generate a ray of hope in the lives of these children. Once they join Nandana, these children are provided with free education, mid-day meal, free books and uniforms.

Since 2014 we, along with our family and friends, have been providing financial support to some of these children to provide them education free of cost. Our network of kind hearted family members and friends were able to adopt around 75 needy children so far and the number is still growing! In this way we are trying to help Nandana team to fulfill their noble mission. Profiles of a few of our adopted kids are given below :

1.

Bhagya Lakshmi was born on 05-01-2006 in a very poor rural family. She belongs to Uppara caste which is considered to be very backward. Her father, Mr.Reddamma works as a Mason. Her mother, Thirupatamma is a daily wage worker in a cotton zinning mill which is very hazardous health wise. The parents found it difficult to feed the family with the meager income they earn. The Nandana school staff came to know about the sad situation of this little girl. They met the parents and made them understand the value of Education. They were able to convince the parents about the need for the Girl Child to be sent to School for a better future. That’s how Bhagya Lakshmi was brought to this school. If Nandana did not take the initiative Bhagya Lakshmi would have become a child labourer.

2.
Pujitha was born on 16th July, 2002 in ponnur to Sreenivas and Parameswari. The mother died of Jaundice when Pujitha was 8 months old. The father married again. Unfortunately the new mother did not accept the little Pujitha. Then Pujitha’s maternal aunt Adiseshamma took the baby into her lap and brought her up. She is also very poor. Because of poverty she wanted to keep Pujitha in work. But Pujitha who is very bright very much wanted to continue her studies. Then the neighbours took pity on Pujitha and admitted her in a school in Ponnur at the beginning of this year. Aunt Adiseshamma became very furious at it and kicked out the girl. In this helpless situation Pujitha was brought to Nandana. Now she is studying 6th class and is very bright in studies. She is good looking, accommodative and friendly.
3.
Chaitanya was born on 27th September 2000. He lost his mother Bharathi when he was months old. After one year his father Chandra sekhar also died of heart disease. He was brought up by his old grand parents. His grand father was paralized in 2005. He could not do any work. His old grand mother Lakshmi was depressed with the calamity. She found no way to bring up the little boy and to take care of the disabled husband. Her daughter who was already married refused to take care of the boy in that pitiable situation. In this situation, Chaitanya was brought into Nandana. Now Chitanya is studying 8th class in Nandana. He is a bright boy. Because of the childhood trauma, he used to have a withdrawing nature. But now he is picking up confidence. Though he is being brought up with utmost care by the school, a supporting hand with love at this stage, is giving him a lot more strength and confidence.
4.
Deva Harshini hails from a very poor family. She is studying 5th class in our school. Usually stands in the first five places. Her father is a lorry driver and the mother works as servant maid. She had two brothers. One is working in a bakery. She lost the second brother in road accident recently. By joining Nandana, she is able to progress towards a bright future.
5.
Triveni is Studying 3rd class in Nandana. Bhavani is studying 7th class. They are cousins. Triveni’s father Apparao and Bhavani’s father Veeranjaneyulu are brothers and work as Masons. Triveni’s mother Sujatha learned tailoring recently and started working. Bhavani’s mother Madhavi brings clothes from a wholesale shop and sells them in the neighborhood. Triveni has 2 sisters and Bhavani has one sister. All the girls are now studying at Nandana. They are bright and active. At Nandana, Triveni and Bhavani are now able to continue their education free of worry.
6. Divya Pusuluru

Divya  was born on 21st  June, 2007. She is studying 5th class and stands in the first 5 ranks. Her father Ramesh is a Mason and mother Naga Lakshmi is a daily wage worker. She likes Telugu subject. Her sister Poorna Kumari is studying 7th class in our Nandana Grameena Patasala.

Ram Tulasi was born in a poor rural family belonging to backward community on 10th July, 2007.. Her father works a Mason and mother an agricultural labourer. Because of poverty the parents could not put Rama Tulasi and her elder sister Bhagyalakshmi in school in right time.

Nandana Grameena Patasala was established in 1992 as its first project to break the shackles of hundreds of child labourers working as tone quarry workers, shepherds and daily wages in different factories. Almost all of them were brought to school during this period of around 25 years and were provided quality education, mid eal meal, books, uniforms and other necessary things. Many of them have completed their school education - entered into higher education and some of them got settled in different fields.

The staff of Nandana school found Rama Tulasi and ehr sister not sent to school. They convinced the parents and put them in school. Now Bhagya lakshmi is in 8th class and your child Rama Tulasi is in 5th class. Tulasi is studious, very friendly and accommodative. She stands in the first 5 places in the class. She richly deserves your support and blessings.

9. Praneetha Medida

10. Vinodini Tadikonda

Vinodini was born on 23rd December, 2007. Her father Sankar Rao became totally disabled because of Polio. He cannot do any work to support the family. Her mother was supporting the family with her little income as a daily wage worker. Day by day she found it impossible to meet the expenditure for her husband’s treatment and to feed the children. Disgusted by the situation she committed suicide. In this situation the helpless family approached the paternal uncle for shelter and support. Vinodini is in 5th class. She is bright, cheerful and accommodative. Your kind support will provide her with more courage to face the life.

11. Siva Ram Nelluri

Siva Ram was born in a poor rural family on 20th May, 2010. Both the parents were agricultural labourers. Because of the dowry harassment the mother committed suicide. The father got married again and the little boy was brought to the maternal uncle.

Siva Ram is studying 3rd class. He is very bright in studies and has leadership qualities. But, now and then we see the pain of his pathetic situation in his face.

When he understands that there is a loving heart and a caring hand are there for him to comfort, we hope he may become normal.

12. Praveen Kumar Mukthapati

13. Lakshmi Pujitha Suragani

Lakshmi Pujitha was born on 11thAugust, 2010. Her father is an auto driver and mother is a daily wage worker. Pujitha is studying 4th class in our Nandana Grameena Patasala. She not only looks bright but bright in studies also.

She always stands in the first 3 places in the class. She has an younger sister studying in Pre-primary class in the same school. As the father is an auto driver – he is addicted to alcohol like many other men of his profession. He spends most of his earnings on alcohol and neglects the family. The mother wants her children to study well and go up in life. Taking her aspiration and the enthusiasm of Pujitha towards studies into consideration, the school pays special attention on the girl’s development. Pujitha never disappointed her parents and Teachers as well.

We feel that the generous and kind support of Smt Aruna and the love and care you (Smt Vijaya & Sri Kalyanram) show towards the child on her behalf will definitely boost up the spirit of Pujitha and continue her journey towards a better future with great confidence.

Our grateful thanks to Smt Aruna Dasika and you, the benevolent couple for blessing the most needy and deserving child Pujitha.

15. Jani Basha Shaik