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Child Trash Collector Gathers Knowledge
Hyderabad, India -- Like every mother Veeramma dreamt of being able to give her six children everything they needed including a basic education. Five years ago the dream was buried when her husband Ranganna died. Veeramma depended on the children in helping to make a meager living. As the years passed the three older children married and left home. Education was still out of the question for her two youngest, or was it?
Motinagar Slum is situated near the southern Indian city of Hyderabad. It is also home to Veeramma, her 14-year-old son Eshwar, and 6-year-old daughter Eswaramma. As main financial contributor, Eshwar leaves the small tattered house early each morning to collect garbage in the heaps of new trash. He's looking for anything recyclable to sell. Upon returning home, he's seen pleading with his mother to allow him to attend school. If this were permitted, the family would starve.
Seeing this need, Operation Blessing India staff worked out a solution for Eshwar in July. Through its Vidhya Jyothi (Light of Knowledge) program, Eshwar now attends daily coaching towards his 7th grade board examination! This hardworking young man still supports his family in the morning, but then goes to Vidhya Jyothi.
Operation Blessing India also persuaded Veeramma to send Eswaramma to regular school. She agreed and was helped with the required school expenses. Today Easwaramma is very proud that she is attending school. "I am happy, I wanted to go to school," she commented. "I wanted to carry books to study and to play with other children. Thank you!"
During July, seven children of all ages living in Motinagar Slum were able to attend Vidhya Jyothi. They now go to regular school. Hopefully this will inspire many other parents to send their children to school.
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