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One day... Steve's May Mumbai 2004 Newsletter
First visit was to a slum district called Antop Hill to visit a computer training facility (eAcademy, part of the net2work programme). A train and bus ride got us to the outskirts of a reasonable slum community, if that's not an oxymoron. The walk in was still somewhat intimidating and as if to further raise the tension we were requested not to take photos. The place is a maze of dirt streets and alleyways, I'd never find my way out on my own. Frankie, and his wife Lucy live under the eAcademy they told us of his work with the church and the community, he's also involved in prison and schools work. He asked a favour, would we give out some presents to the kindergarten class. How could we say no? Off down the ladders and deeper into the alleys, up another set of ladders into a darkened room full of little children. We were given Operation Christmas Child boxes I remembered filling boxes just like these as part of a Christmas church programme in 2002, and at work last year. I never thought I'd be giving the boxes out, what a privilege. Onto a bus and back to Dardar train station and then North to Mira Road station. We're off to see the Vocational Training facility. A short Auto-rickshaw (ric) ride from the I spotted a 2 way lighting circuit diagram and practical wiring exercise just like I'd done many years before in college. The greetings cards are sold in fair trade catalogues. The money raised helps fund the project. The numbers are small 32 boys per year but the success rate is high and the dropout rate is low. More than the practical training the model for the home is extended family. Daniel and Suchetta are like parents to the boys. They see how life should be, not how it has been on the streets or station platform. Perhaps this is a more valuable lesson than the skills learned. A short walk and were at the girls training centre. The girls come in with little or no skills, usually illiterate. Some go on to become trainers and continue the process What a holistic approach Oasis has. They don't just lift people from where they were, they break the chains that held them there. They're breaking the cycle of countless repetition. My father lived on the station, therefore I live on the station. Well for some the answer will be different, and not just for that individual but their family, and for generations to come. Just as I was thinking Oasis have thought of everything the end of day bus turned up, laid on by Oasis. A free ride to the station for everyone. I tagged along. It was full of happy, smiling, chattering people. People with a hope and a future where once there was none What I haven't mentioned is the good and the bad that happens alongside all of this to me as an individual. The almost constant hassle when you're new dies off as the stallholders see you every day. The constant kindness of strangers on the train, on the bus, everywhere. The bad is the constant begging, especially in the centre of Mumbai. Here they don't ask for 1 or 2 rupees but 10. At Mira Road I saw a mother point us out to her children. They kicked off their shoes and ran to us. Eventually the booking office guy shouted at them and chased 'em off. We'd given 'em some biscuits anyway. I'm sure I'm often ripped off on the price of stuff. Even so the good experiences outweigh the bad ones. Often the journey itself is an adventure in its own right. Perhaps I'll save some train stories for the next episode. I could fill a newsletter these alone. Here’s some links to more information… If you’d like to find out more. The Oasis India site www.oasisindia.org
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What follows are recollections from my daily journal. I started making notes to help me remember. Only reading them now do I realise I should have written more things down, names, places etc. It's easy to be wise after the event. I'll do the best I can. What does come out is the overall impression of the work Oasis is doing and especially the commitment of their staff. I feel so privileged to have been given the opportunity by Tearfund to get alongside one of their partner organisations in India. This is an example of a single day in my 4 month trip. My diary begins with the entry "What a day!"
and told to give them out… to which child? Would they all get one? Would there be enough? There was a mix of excitement and fear in the room. Most of the youngsters had no idea what was going on… but it certainly wasn't a normal day. I focused on a small boy and gave him the box. I took a photo of his bemused face… I could almost hear his thoughts. What was this? What was it for? Why me? Why now? What now? He was prompted but said, in his best English, "thank you uncle". More boxes were handed out and excitement overtook fear. I was drawn back to look at the fist little boy I'd given a box to. He was holding onto it as if the box itself was the present. I went over and helped him open it and see the toys, games, crayons inside. He couldn't seem to comprehend it all.
station and we met Daniel and Suchetta. The boys and girls training facilities are split up, we're touring the boys first. These are children who lived on the station platforms, some without a family, or any means of support. They tend to be the older boys. They're taught good practical stuff from electrical installation to jewellery making and screen-printing. 
elsewhere. Some work for Jacobs Well, the Fair Trade brand for Oasis clothing while some get their own orders. Oasis pays for the materials and help with the production. It's training some of them for the next step… to go into business for themselves. 