Stories...

A few more tidbits that I learned on my visit to Childline --

Childline has no way to rehabilitate these kids themselves. Once they are rescued, they must either return to their families, or, if necessary, be placed in government programs. I thought that education should be the next step. Unfortunately, she told me it was a lengthy and complex process. Also, it is important to manage it well and make sure there are none who take advantage of the system to exploit the kids for their own needs.

I was just thinking to myself...What do those kids go back to? A life of little education and likely more labor. These children really have nowhere to go. They are plain stuck, with no future and less of a past.

Speaking of a failing education system, Anuradha told me a story which really horrified me in its cruelty...

Two British men, retired Army Generals, had settled in Mumbai and were running a home for child labor & abuse escapees. It looked all rosy on the outside - I mean, what could go wrong?

Apparently, plenty. Under the guise of doing good for the children of Mumbai, the two men committed several acts of physical and sexual abuse. Rumors were soon circulating about this among social workers, and an obscure call in 2001 first brought this to Childline's attention.

This then began a 10 year struggle with numerous court cases that cost thousands of dollars. The abused boys stood up against intense pressure and the lure of money and riches, giving the final evidence for the ruling. In the end, India's Supreme Court called children "humanity's greatest gift" and sentenced the two army generals to six years in prison.

Just desserts, you would say, for two men who stretched the boundaries of cruelty and broke the spirits of nearly 10 children.