SMDers Helping Street Kids

Tashi Sangpo B325, Tsering Thinley B292, Tashi Sherpa B319 & Migmar
Sherpa B08 with street kids

On Thursday the 29 th of November, four SMD students, conscious of the number of street children and beggars around the Boudha area, took the initiative to donate winter jackets to those in need. The idea was to distribute the clothing and also learn more about the situation of urban poverty. We wanted to simply question the street kids about their lives and needs. We had no idea what we were in for.

Papu

Setting out from school and walking the brief five-minute walk to the Stupa, we were struck by how big a task this was going to be. We set out with two sacks of clothes. The clothes could have been distributed to the needy even before reaching the Stupa. We were approached by all likes of pleading eyes; young and old, male and female. Two children in particular struck chords in our hearts. The first was from India. His name is Papu. He is 12 years old and he had come to Boudha with his younger brother who he was supporting with his garbage picking. He was living with his older brother and sister in-law. When we met him, he was carrying a dirty sack of plastics that he had scavenged from the dump. He told us his story. His mother and father had died five years ago in India leaving him and his brothers to fend for themselves. He makes 100 to 200 rupees per day, which he uses to buy tea, rice, dhal and other foods that he can afford. His dream is to go to school and learn to read write. He desperately wants to better his and his brother’s life. The situation was almost frightening. Many of the boys said they smoke every time they have a chance. One boy mentioned that he was once wrongly accused of theft and was sent to jail for two months. They are constantly afraid as the police regularly beat them. We asked Papu’s sister in-law what their most basic need was. She said the children want to go to school. Clothes were another major need, along with food and housing etc.

Tashi Sherpa B319, Migmar Sherpa B08 & Tsering Thinley B292

The next boy we met was in a gang of young children. His name was Suman. He caught our attention as he was one of many children who were proud of the fact that he was sniffing glue. His nose and mouth area were sheer signs that he had recently been sniffing. When asked where they get hold of the glue, they told us that shopkeepers readily sell it to them, as they are more interested in the profit. Interacting with the boys, we notice a few were bandaged from fighting. It was an emotional experience which is now difficult to put into words. When a few kids pulled out bags of glue from their pockets and started sniffing in front of us our hearts sank. Talking to them more, they told us that they knew the consequences of sniffing, that it is addictive and bad for their health, but they told us they were hooked and wished they could stop. The main reason why they use glue is that they cannot afford food. When they don’t have anything to eat, sniffing glue makes their body unconscious and the feeling hunger disappears. They fall asleep peacefully in the alley. Suman was reasonably good in English. He told us that he was attending Phulbari School (a public school 3 minutes away from SMD) but now his parents don’t have enough money to send him to school (pay user fees) as his younger sister’s eye was damaged and all the family’s money was spent on the treatment for his sister. His studies were sacrificed.

Tsering Thinley B292 giving out clothing

We were taken to where they live; a crowded shantytown of tents. Few of us may be aware that only ten minutes from school and only five minutes from the Boudha Stupa a mass slum can be found. Walking along with Suman and Papu, Papu scraped his toe and he started to bleed. This incident was a testament to how poorly equipped the children are with necessities such as footwear. I was sure the scrape would get infected and become worse without medical attention. Walking around their living area, our SMD student Tsering tore his trousers and cut his leg and he also started to bleed. Again, a sheer sign that in their living environment injury is prevalent and clothes only last a short time. We also witnessed a drunken fight. Leaving the boys was a challenge. They asked if they could join the school. We had no idea how to answer. As winter approaches, we ponder the fate of the friends we made last Thursday.