Odanadi Seva Samsthe- A
Report Children's
Education: All the children in the 7th, 8th, 9th grades as well
as those in 1st P.U.C. have passed in their final exams and have moved to
their next grade. The results for the 10th students will be announced in a
few days. They are all expected to pass. These children will now be on
their own attending the college in the city. It will be a different
experience compared to the protective environment they are in at present.
I visited the high school to which the children go and had discussions
with the teachers and the principal. Currently I am working with the
school to get some computers for the students. Children Ill:
A few weeks back some of the children became ill with chicken pox and it
quickly spread to a number of children. Most of them have recovered and
some still recovering. Educational
trip: In April,
the children went on an education trip to the Rail Museum and the Natural
History Museum in Mysore. In the Rail Museum they learnt about the history
of railways and in the Natural History Museum, various aspects of nature
including the environment, evolution, flora and fauna etc. English
Classes: An American girl has started taking English classes for
the children. Due to the summer camp, the classes are currently on hold.
Yoga Classes: Through the
efforts of Asha volunteers, D P Prakash and Hansa Shah, an American lady,
Christine Hoar visited Odanadi and taught Yogasana to the children. She
and her friend and subsequently other friends of hers continued the
classes for several weeks.After that the children continued to do on their
own. Summer Camp(April-May
2004): The children of Odanadi are participating in a month-long
summer camp being conducted by Mr. Basavalingaiah, a noted theatre artist
and former director of Rangayana, a govt-supported theatre organization in Mysore.( Last
year children from the nearby village as well as those from
an orphanage in Mysore were included in the camp. Due
to financial constraints those children have not been included this time. An interesting
note I heard was that though the other children were orphans themselves,
they considered Odanadi children 'lower' than them!). The camp is conducted
free by Mr. Basavalingaiah and his team. The children are taught dance,
acting, singing, "kolata"-folk dance with sticks etc. A Magic show is also
planned. As an outcome of this camp, the children will presenting two
dramas as well as the dances and songs. The children are all very excited
and are actively participating.
========================================================= Cricket Camp:
Four of the boys are attending a summer cricket camp conducted by the
Mysore university. The boys are happy, saying that they are learning a
good deal. The equipment required by them for the training were sponsored
by well-wishers. New clothes for
children: In March 2004, Srinivas Prasad, a former central
minister and supporter of Odanadi, distributed new clothes to all the
children of Odanadi, on the occassion of his wedding anniversary.
Education/Fun
trip: In the beginning of february, the children and staff of
Odanadi went on a education/fun trip to Madikeri and Mangalore. The trip
was sponsored by Asha volunteers from Princeton, LA, DC and SV. Other
local volunteers sponsored the food. Another NGO "Prajnya" provided the
accommodation at Mangalore. They visited the buddhist temple in bylukoppa,
the Harangi dam and Abbey Falls in Madikeri, the beach in Mangalore and a
Nature park(zoo) in Mangalore. The children enjoyed the trip very much,
many of them seeing a beach for the first time. The children of Prajnya,
who are also underprivileged, joined the trip. New Funding:
The volunteers of Asha-Central New Jersey have approved a funding of $3500
for the new residential building for the children. Odanadi conveys their
thanks to them. Article on
Odanadi: A reported from "The Week" met with and interviewed
Stanly-Parashu and some of the children(rescued as well as the younger
ones) recently. The range of problems dealt with by Odanadi and issues
faced by them during their work were elaborated. An article is expected in
a few weeks. Enterpreneurship
Program(From Jan 2004): The rescued girls of Odanadi
have joined together and formed a society "Manavi Mahila Sangha" on their
way to become enterpreneurs and become self-reliant. The program is
supported by the International Organization for Migration(IOM). The
program support consists of a jump-start amount for training and a loan
for the girls to start their businesses. There is a project/marketing
coordinator as well as a training coordinator(lady) who has a lot of
experience in working with NGOs and such programs. As part of the program
the president of the society attended a week-long intensive training
program in Hyderabad. -The program is supporting the
girls to set up Amul parlour with Amul products, a beauty parlour, a
Travel agency, a specialized fast-food restaurant, a "Manavi Emporium" to
sell the soaps, detergents, shampoos,cleaning liquids,candles that they
themselves produce as well as products from other such cooperative groups
from across the state. IOM will provide logistics and other support to
procure the Amul products. The locations to setup the above businesses
have already been identified and business will start soon. -As part of the beauty parlour
business, two girls are already experienced, and a few more are attending
a 6-month beautician course. Three girls have learnt car-driving and have
already obtained their licenses. Their plan is two-fold. To transport
children to schools, which has become a lucrative business these days. The
belief is that parents would be more secure if they know that there is a
lady driver transporting their children. The second is to provide
transport services to local companies. The logistics for the latter are
still being worked out. Eye-brows get raised frequently when people hear
about the driving programs of the girls. They are out to blaze a new trail
and they have support. -For the fast-food program, the
plan is to provide regional specialities from other parts of the country
to the local people. -The "Emporium" team are
already experienced with products listed above. At present many local
organizations have offered to buy the products in bulk. They are also
exploring the list of products from elsewhere that they can sell.
The girls are all very excited
about the program, and it is simply amazing to see their involvement and
their interest. Lectures, demonstrations and trainings are being conducted
on a daily basis. The project coordinator and the president are
transferring their knowledge from their own training to the girls. They
conduct games to build a sense of unity, to alert their minds, to
stimulate their thinking, to increase their knowledge etc. Some of the
girls didn't know how to read and write and they are all learning.
Considering that basic maths is required for their business, they are
learning that too. Most of the girls had no idea what to do in life. Now
they all have a purpose, which itself a source of strength. One girl who
was willing to do any kind of labour like being a maid-servant etc, is now
finding that the new program might help her do better in life. Experts
come and teach them about leadership, accounting, communication, honesty
in business, customer service, identifying adulteration in products,
approaching consumer forums with issues etc. The training coordinator, I
feel, is doing a wonderful job. The other day I saw them discussing about
Crying-why they cry, when they cry, when did they first cry, what happens
when they cry etc. Things like these bring out a lot in them and builds
closer bonds between them. The president, a 20-year old, who hasn't passed
10th, is turning out to be a real leader. The loan amount provided by IOM
is now owned by the society and the girls are aware of their
responsibility and the required payback of the loan. It is an amazing experience to
watch a bunch of under-20 girls, who have seem some of the worst in life,
some of whom are still learning their ABCs, get together, taking
responsibility for lakhs of rupees, transforming their lives(and in
future, that of any other girl who is in a similar position). We are all
supporting them, and looking forward to the day when they dont need our
support any more. Street Plays: In the first week of March, some
of the girls of Odanadi and staff, along with a rural theatre group,
presented street plays highlighting the issue of girl-child trafficking in
some of the villages of HD Kote taluk of Mysore district. There was good
attendance for all the plays. Drama by
children: In February 2004, the children of Odanadi presented a
play in the Town Hall premises of the city. This play was earlier staged
during the Asha-Santuary conference at Odanadi. Visit to Science
Exhibition: In January 2004, the school-going children visited a
Science Exhibition organized by a local Science college. Santuary
Conference: In Dec 2003, Odanadi and the Asha-Santuary group
organized the "Santuary Conference" at Odanadi premises. A number of
organizations working in the area of preventing sexual exploitation of
children, participated in the three-day conference. A good number of Asha
volunteers from India and abroad also participated. It was a great
opportunity to meet some of the best minds who are actively involved in
development activities. (I can't seem to find the report posted by Hansa
about the conference. Please search on asha-wide) Photos of the conference at:
IPS Officers
Visit: In December 2003, a group of senior IPS officers from all
over India visited Odanadi and discussed with the staff and the children.
They were here as part of the annual trip by the IPS officers to learn and
understand about the issued addressed by Odanadi and the techniques
used. A Case of rape and
harassment by police: This is a story about a young
girl being molested and raped and how the women police were trying to hush
it up by colluding with the accused Recently a couple had come to
Odanadi to ask help to trace their 15 year old daughter who was working as
a maid-servant in another house. The girl was forced to work there due to
her family's poor financial conditions. The guy, let's call him B, in
whose house the girl was working and is the perpetrator in the case is a
rich man who had owned a hotel in Bangalore. The girl's parents had
approached the women police quite some time back to trace their daughter,
accusing 'B' of kidnapping. The police didn't do anything about the
complaint. And based on all the events it appears that the police have
been defending the accused, after allegedly taking bribe from the guy.
Odanadi traced the girl in a remote location in Mandya district, where
there were only three houses. It turned out that Mr. B was
trying to molest the girl in various ways like peeping through the
bathroom door, trying to sleep next to her, showing her porn magazines
etc, though he himself had 6 children. To escape his advances, the girl
sought the help of a watchman and his wife in the neighbouring house. That
guy, let's call him A, offered to help her and take her to a safe place ,
but instead took her to a lonely place and raped her. The girl is now
pregnant. He then took her to a relative's place in Bangalore, where
trouble started between Mr. A,his wife and her brother regarding the girl.
Mr. A then took her to the remote village where where she was found later.
Based on the girl's story 'A' was arrested. When the Odanadi activists went
to register a case against 'B', the Women police refused and instead
threatened to arrest the Odanadi activists. A male constable also
man-handled one of the lady activists. The police also were suggesting and
insisting that the girl marry her rapist who was already married twice.
That itself was against the law since the girl was a minor and the accused
was already married. After speaking with the police commissioner, the
women police registered a case but with a diluted FIR. Later they also
conducted a press meet with the accused 'B' sitting like a guest during
the meet. During this time the girl and her parents were also present.
They got enraged at the nice treatment(biscuits, coffee etc) to the
accused, whereas they themselves were made to stand outside. So they
barged in and beat the accused a few times. Odanadi organized a press meet
to expose the corrupt attitude of the women police(The press meet itself
erupted into chaos when some of the reporters questioned Odanadi about
exhibiting the girl and then the reporters started fighting among
themselves over the issue and statements made by other people during the
meet). Subsequently, it was reported
that the police have registered a case of assault against the girl's
parents, a case of threat demanding 1 lakh from the accused 'B' against
the Odanadi activists and cases of dacoity and threats against Stanly and
Parashu. According to inside sources they wanted to arrest Stanly-Parashu
and the other activists during the weekend when 3 days were holidays, so
that they could not get bail. So these people went underground. The woman
inspector had also informed that she would be coming to Odanadi to take a
fresh statement of the victim, but she never came. Odanadi is now filing a case of
harassment against the police with the NHRC. ====================================================================
Experience of a rescued
girl: The other day I was talking to one of the girls who was
rescued from Delhi about a year back. She was telling me how after a raid
on their buildings she became very bold and organized a lot of girls in
the brothels. She tape-recorded a number of conversations in the building
between the madams and the other people. This recording was finally
admitted as evidence in the supreme court and many of the brothel-keepers
were jailed. She had also organized the girls in the remand-homes against
the ill-treatment by the staff there including the police who would visit
frequently. Inspite of all the pressure, she boldly gave statements in the
court. The stories were heartwarming. She is now actively involved with
the Mahila Sangha. Trip to a tribal
village: A few months back I visited a "Hakki Pikki" nomadic
tribal village in HD Kote. These people make flower vases and arrangement
of plastic and sell them all over the world. More on that later. A few
people from the village had sort of kidnapped a rural girl in Shimoga, who
had sought refuge in them, to escape from some miserable circumstances at
home(Her relatives were trying to make money by "renting" her). The girl
wasn't treated well in the tribal village. The girl was brought to Odanadi
by an old non-tribal woman because there were rumours in the village that
the tribal people kill people to sell off their body parts. The girl was
also alleging that they were trying to sell her off to somebody in
Kerala.She is now at Odanadi. A lot of people including the
womenfolk were saying that they still have the skills they learnt over the
ages and can catch animals or gather honey with ease. BTW, their village
is called "Tiger Block" since it was a supposedly dense forest of tigers
during the reign of the Maharajas. Reintegration trip: Some
time back I went on a trip during reintegration of rescued girls with
their families. These girls were rescued in Delhi and were sent to Odanadi
for reintegration. (The only costs that the courts and the Delphi police
paid was that of sending them to Bangalore by plane. All the other costs
were borne by Odanadi). The girls were in the brothels ranging from 6
months to 6 years. They were all from remote villages all over Karnataka.
More than one of them were infected with HIV, especial the one who was in
Delhi for 6 months. All except one were successful reintegrated with their
families. The remaining one did not have parents and did not want to stay
with her brother and sister-in-law. The experience of each of those girls was
different. Almost all of them had no schooling. Different techniques were
used to take them to the big city. They were all young innocent girls when
they were sent to the dark alleys of Delhi. Listening to their stories
provides an insight into the horrors of the trafficking problem. However
what was heartening was the attitude of the parents or relatives who were
happy that their girls had returned after a long period. I want to mention the story of one girl who
came from a poor muslim family. Her parents (somewhat old) were making
beedies for a living. The girl was also involved, but wanted to do
something else. She had not gone to school. She decided to go to Goa where
her brothers were staying, and wanted to get some work there. On the way
she met a woman who became friendly and gave the girl something to drink.
The girl lost consciousness, and when she woke up, she found herself in
the dark rooms of a building, I guess on GB Road, in Delhi. She was forced
into the flesh trade, and many months later was rescued during a police
raid, along with the other girls. She was sent to be reintegrated with her
family. But the people in Delhi had given her a gift, the gift of HIV+.
She has to live with it for no fault of hers. She is only 16 years
old.
05/03/04 (Dec 2003 - April 2004)
- By Ramesh Dodamani
The following is a report of the activities and events at Odanadi from December to April
2004.
The photos related to the events mentioned below have
already
been uploaded to the project web site at:
http://www.ashanet.org/projects/project-view.php?p=129
Photos have been
uploaded at:
www.seven-L.com/mang_trip/AAAphotos.html
(The link will be active for a short
period only)
http://www.ashanet.org/projects-new/documents/129/od_photos_sanct_conf.html
Anyway, the reason for mentioning this
case is that, many of us in the developmental field think that the nomadic
tribes have become a impoverished community due to the formation of the
national parks. The tribes were pushed out of the forests. But these
people seemed to have quickly adapted to learning new skills and marketing
them effectively. Some of them have become carpentars. But making the
plastic flowers seemed to be main staple business. They travel all over
India to sell their products. Many of them had passports and visas to
visit countries such as Singapore and other south-east countries. When
they are out of their base, they put up tents and live in them. We had
gone to talk to them about the allegation that they kidnapped and were
trying to sell the girl. I noticed that the people had tremendous sense of
unity in defending their actions and themselves, the womenfolk including.
Their way of questioning us and asking about us demonstrated their
knowledge of the world and definitely not an uneducated group. Since it
was the end of the day and getting dark their many groups looked
threatening too.