CHILDLINE 1098

School dropout boy got back to school

During the year 2017, child labour cases have increased marginally by 6.5% which includes mainly children who are involved in work at restaurant / dhaba, hazardous work, domestic work and beggary. While in some cases children are forced, in other cases they work by their own will.

It was in the month of August 2018, that the state of Kerala was affected by severe floods, where in, more than 400 people lost their lives, property and valuables. The flood left families and communities with diverse negative impacts.

A 16-year-old boy named Aman was a bright student of 11^th grade in an aided-school of Alappuzha district. Post Floods, when he stopped attending school, his school teacher decided to approach CHILDLINE for support. On enquiry, it was found that he lost his mother since his birth and the father due to illness at the age of five years. Ever since then he had been raised by his grandmother who was taking care of Aman. Kerela floods left Aman’s life upturned and their house was completely damaged leaving him and his grandmother homeless.  They got a place at a relief camp where they managed to stay for a month.

To add to their crisis, the grandmother was diagnosed with cancer. While struggling in those adversities, Aman was forced to leave the studies and started working in a local bakery to meet basic expenses and medical expenses of his grandmother.

CHILDLINE team, as part of UNICEF supported initiative ‘Safeguarding children through increased protection’, met Aman and heard him thoroughly, understood circumstances and prepared a brief report of the situation. CHILDLINE team presented the report to the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) and Child Welfare Committee (CWC) of the district, recommending them sponsorship for the child. The case was processed and Aman was given a sponsorship of Rs 2000 per month.

Presently, with the support of CHILDLINE, Aman is continuing his studies and plans for a prosperous career. Grandmother’s medical expenses are also taken care and they are now living happily with one of his uncles

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Disclaimer:  Names and details have been changed to maintain confidentiality as required.