Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad   

From toil to textbooks

Special Correspondent

Spirited efforts by child labourers to get into school makes an impact on a team from the Netherlands

HYDERABAD: Life is bigger than its problems.

No, this isn't a wrinkle-faced individual sporting a silver mane mouthing the profound truth, but children as young as six or seven, who in their hunger for education and going to school, go to any extent, even run away from home! Like moisture on a child's slate, all their hardships fade away the moment they step into the classroom, the staccato sound of verses being repeated sending their pulse racing.

Desire for education

"They do so much to go to school. Move out of home, stop eating and even take up menial jobs to get into those classrooms like other children of their age. Their thirst for knowledge is very inspiring and we were amazed seeing their desire for education. This has been a truly emotional experience," said Jojanneke Spoor, an anthropology student heading a team of youngsters from Netherlands on a visit to various bridge schools, ashrams and Government schools in the State with the help of members of the MV Foundation.

"It is painful to see children suffer, but watching them taking the problems in their stride and indefatigably fighting for their education showcases how spirited they are," she maintained. Midway through their 11-day trip, the members interacted with child labourers attending bridge schools at Alur and Bantaram in Ranga Reddy district, Suryapet and Thirumalgiri in Nalgonda district before reaching the BC boys hostel at Mahindra Hills in the city.

Shanta Sinha of MV Foundation said various initiatives to wean away children from labour and bring them to school were paying off and the trip by the Netherlands youngsters was to take these success stories to the world. When Venkatesh asked them what they learnt from their trip to Andhra Pradesh, the visiting members said they would take to Netherlands the determination of the children and their stirring sagas to go to school. And yes, "life is bigger than its problems."

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