Nine year old Anjali does not know what is written on the dustbins she jumbles with everyday and not even able to understand why bus-full of children of her age go to the buildings daily. These are just few more puzzles out of the countless others her live has in store but not after she came face to face with alphabets, numbers and unfamiliar helping hands above all.
Voice of Anjali chuckles as she now-a-days has not to pick just rags all day but also go to a school names as ‘Rag picker’s education and development scheme’ or ‘Reds’. “Here we study ABCD and 1234. My friends and I get up early in the morning everyday and firstly, we move to collect the scraps from the surrounding area of bus stand. After coming back, we come to the school,” she says.
Extremely fragile human development indicator was what that promoted Reds for the initiative in Ranchi. This year on February 9, Reds Ranchi celebrated its 16th annual day giving education to such ill-fated children. Brother Kuldip associated with the organsiation said, “In 2013-14, we have around 450 children having formal education within the city in 24 different schools affiliated with JAC. In 2013-14 academic year 31 students appeared for the matriculation exam out of which 24 secured 1st division and remaining students secured 2nd division.” Targeting such rag pickers, Reds is helping more than 900 children at present in having formal and informal education.
Kuldip also says adding, “More than 400 children are having informal education at our 12 different centers located at Hatma Basti, Palandu, Argora, Hindpiri, Hatia, Mausi badi, Doranda, Chutia, Shokitoli, Bargaain and Khadgarha.” Notable the areas have large number of persons earning their livelihood from garbage.
Reds School situated in the backyard of Khadgarha Bus Stand has around 55 children for informal education and provides them lunch also. The one room school is primarily targeting children belonging to the age group of seven to eight years.
“Here we prepare children for the elementary school by giving them basic education of English and Hindi alphabets. The classes runs from 9 am to 12:30pm every day, except on Sunday,” said school teacher Rajni.