The charity Supporting Dalit Children was formed in January 2008 following our short stay at a primary school for Dalits, in Southern India. At the end of our time there we were so moved by the work being done to care for and educate these children, we asked Father Maxim, one of the Jesuit founders of the school, what we could do to help? He gave us details of 28 children needing sponsorship and I’m happy to say that all these children have now been sponsored. We are currently trying to raise funds to enable a further 10 Dalit children to go St. Xavier’s school for 2 years which, at a cost of £180 per child per year, totals £3600.
Who are the Dalits?
Dalits are also known as ‘outcasts’ or ‘untouchables’ and have no status in Indian society. They are constantly victimised and suffer many forms of prejudice and exploitation, especially the women and children living in rural areas who work outside in the fields in extremely high temperatures, many as ‘bonded’ labourers. (‘Bonded’ labour is a form of modern slavery where children as young as 6 years old carry out tasks their tiny bodies are physically unprepared for. Consequently these children face major health and physical risks.) Girls are regularly forced into prostitution to help supplement the family income, and, very sadly, the future prospects for the vast majority of Dalit children are extremely bleak.
More about St. Xavier’s School
St. Xavier’s School was founded 4 years ago by two Jesuits called Father Eric and Father Maxim. It provides a first-class English-medium education for Dalit and other equally marginalised and poor children from 75 rural villages. We have visited many of these villages and seen for ourselves the extent of their poverty. School places are given to the ‘poorest of the poor’ - the bonded labourers, the malnourished, those in the greatest need. Dalit families cannot afford the costs of educating their children as their wages are very low and are all spent on food. This is why we’re helping to pay these costs.
How much does it cost to sponsor a child?
At present it costs £180 per child per year (£15 per month) for each child’s board and education, and our current aim is to sponsor 10 more children. Every donation helps, however small, and every penny given goes directly to the school’s bank account – literally nothing is deducted as there is no ‘middle man’ and no administration or advertising costs. The charity is administered entirely by myself.
Thank you for your support. If you would like details of one of the 10 children you have helped to sponsor, please let me know and I’d be very happy to email or send a copy of their sponsor card. Also, if you’d like to receive updates about these children please do get in touch.
Dinah Findlay
