[Reader-list] Support Creation of Library for Children of Wastepickers in Banashankari, Bangalore

[Kabir Khan]

Support Creation of Library for Children of Wastepickers in Banashankari,
Bangalore
<https://wastenarratives.com/2017/01/17/support-creation-of-library-for-children-of-wastepickers-informal-waste-collectors-in-banashankari-bangalore/>

Hasiru Dala, the organization of wastepickers and informal waste workers
has been continuously working for recognition of waste workers as green
workers and integrating them into the changing landscape of the solid waste
management system of Bengaluru and other parts of Karnataka. Through our
work, we encounter daily, some of the most powerful stories of challenges,
perseverance, grit and transformation. It has been our endeavor to bring
these stories to the larger world, through our work. Yet, we feel we always
fall short. Because we recognize that success in our efforts will only bear
fruit when the community itself has a voice to tell its stories.

While we build towards bringing social security, recognition and alternate
employment for the adults, we recognize that it’s also important to engage
with the community at a deeper level.  As the next step in our efforts, we
want to engage with the children of waste pickers and informal waste
collectors, and invest in their future.

These children face multiple challenges – high rate of drop out from
schools, minimal support and direct care from parents (as they work long
hours picking waste/material on the street), the risk of various illnesses
because of unhygienic conditions, and lingering fear of substance abuse.

The* basti *(settlement) at Banshankari is one of the forty slums where
members of the organization reside. We plan to start a community library
near the *basti *to work towards strengthening the voice within the
community. The library will house books in four different languages
(English, Hindi, Kannada and Tamil) serving over 200 children from the
community. The objective of the library is to create a comfortable space
for dialogue with children through the written and illustrated words.  It
is a medium to bring the world to them, help them understand it in their
own way, and in that process build their own unique voice.

The community library will have weekly read aloud sessions, arts based
activities, game time, and theater workshops.   It will also be a room for
children to ‘be’.

We need your help to bring voice and dignity to this community.  Invest in
strengthening the voices!

*You can help us!*

   - *For Library*: Donate gently used books for children from 3yrs to 15
   yrs (in English, Hindi, Kannada and Tamil).
   - *For Game Room*: Donate puzzles, Legos and other play and learn
   materials.Please drop off or mail your package to the following address:

HASIRU DALA

A/B Block, 4th floor, Golden Orchid,

10/8 Kasturba Road, Bangalore 560041

Landmark: McDonald’s Drive Through

   - To donate or for any further queries write to
   lakshmikarunakaran at gmail.com. Your donations will be exempt from tax
   under section 80G of the Income Tax Act.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Regards

कबीर/کبیر

Phone:00-91-96-63-427-315
Email: kabir.postbox at gmail.com
Follow me on:
Facebook <http://www.facebook.com/KaafirMasiha>, blog
<http://maleccha.wordpress.com/> & Twitter <https://twitter.com/Maleccha>

http://www.hasirudala.in

http://www.wastenarratives.com

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