STREET CHILDREN’S COLLECTIVE FOUNDED BY MALAYALI WOMAN IN DELHI
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| Reetha Panikker, ‘Butterflies’, Delhi |
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While many children’s rehabilitation organizations transplant the children from their present pursuits and put them in a place where they can blossom, ‘Butterflies’, founded by Malayali Reetha Panikker at Delhi tries to provide facilities for the street children to grow up as better citizens even while pursuing their occupations like rag picking, begging and shoe polishing.
Reetha
had an inclination to do something for such underprivileged children even
when she was studying at Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai.
She
later went to Holland for about 1½ years and then settled down at Delhi
after marriage.
Once
in Delhi she started pursuing her old dream.
She traveled throughout the country to learn about the working of
NGOs involved in child rehabilitation.
Based
on her study, she founded ‘Butterflies’ in 1988.
Once the organization started working, many children were attracted
to it. They meet 5 days a
week in the compound of Presentation Convent at Chandni Chowk.
The children spend their time in games and discussion, laughter and
planning.
Once
the organization decided to celebrate Holi with traditional sweets and
fireworks. When asked to
contribute their small might to the celebrations, the children startled
Reetha with their suggestion. They
said they would prefer woolen cloths to sweets and crackers.
So
the programme was altered and the children provided with winter wear.
Reetha Panikkar and Children
Courtesy: Vivek Madhu, Kumkumam, June 2002
Contributed by: Administrator
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