“On the street outside of the Englightenment Temple, you can see the little beggar who was just born and still in her mother’s arms. There was beggar who were ‘’walking’’ on the ground with his hands instead of legs. There were also old beggars who were too old to move and too lazy to talk. When you pass by them, you could feel a great sense of desperateness that seemed as if their lives had been spread on this street and their lives had been seen to the end from birth.’’— from Tashi lamo in 「the Brother」.

I don’t remember whether I saw these texts first or went to India first. In short, this was a good summary of the begging situation on the streets in India. Among them, children were the main force. Once, because I didn’t give anything, a little girl suddenly got angry and said loud Indian words and hit me. As I was walking forward, tears burst out slowly.  She didn’t hurt me but I felt so sorrow. Because of the societal hierarchy, the occupation should be inherited in India. This type of system made the children who were on the streets seem so normal. I started to think about whether I usually give these children money or food, and also think about what should I do.

In the early March afternoon, as a volunteer, we met with principal Venerable Ruxin, and took more than three hundred stationaries into this residential area. Some rooms even don’t had a door, and I look inside, in this sunny afternoon, the room was completely dark and I couldn’t see anything.

After walking on these street, when we arrived at the ANAND VIDAYA PETH school, it was really eye-catching! Looking at the children who came to greet us, all dressed neatly and smilingly. These two hundred sixty children were all residents here. All of them used to beg for a living. Therefore, the principal reminded us not to give the children money and food directly, so as not to “wake up” their bad habits. I brought some toys and the principal suggested not to give them yet but wait until the children have their exams so we can use them as prize. In the process of distributing pencil case, the kids were all very respectful and courteous. It was really hard to equate them with the children on the street!

I never had such a profound understanding of the impact of basic and early education on a person until that day we went to ANAND VIDAYA PETH school. Children in the school and children begging on the street five minutes away, maybe they all know each other, or maybe they were neighbors. But due to the school walls, life would never be the same. The children in the school have changed not only their own life, but also their original family and their new family in the future. In this means, DENER’s pen is not just a pen. As long as there is a key dot, then a pen is a lever that bridges the kids’ to learning! Education is a long road. I hope these children can grow up and study hard here.

Volunteer Xuejie

偏鄉志工