Friday, October 2, 2009

Royapuram Boys Home Visit on Aug 15th

We had visited royapuram boys home on Aug 15th 2009. The officials were receptive & gave us lot of details.I'm summarizing them below:
1) It has 3 parts - the reception unit, the home & in-house school.
2) Reception unit - this is the place where the children are initially kept and stay there till CWC(Child Welfare Commitee) decides on their future. All child labourers that we rescue end up here only. The population is dynamic - we saw nearly ~50 kids, ~50% north indians, yesterday.
3) Home - currently accomodates ~120 kids from 1-12the std. Kids stay in a big long hall, dormitory style.It has TV and kids keep their bags in one corner. there is a store-room that has the blankets,pillows etc.
4) School - kids from 1-6th study here.The rest go to a nearby corporation school accompanied by a guardian.
5) Stay - kids can stay till they complete their 12th std.Then they are either sent to their parents or if possible a job / higher study is arranged.
6) Staff - i think ~20+ govt employees work here in a front office. Superintendent - Mrs.Glory Gunaseelan. Asst . Supt - Mrs.Devika Manager - Mr.Adheesan.
7) About the kids - contrary to our expectation most of the kids are not child labourers. They come from a poor family, single-parent, orphan etc.Child labourers form a miniscule of the population.Non tamilnadu kids in reception unit are sent to govt homes in their respective states accompanied by a escort.Only tamilnadu kids are kept in the home. We were informally entertained by a kid called madhan who showed his gymnastic & trick skills - talented boy!

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