Every footpath in Mumbai is encroached and everyday Mumbaikars fight to keep them free of hawkers and squatters. But there is a group of people who utilise this same very footpath for a good cause.
‘Hamara footpath’ comprises of a group of young students and working professional who form the core team of the group. They work for the street children of South Mumbai. Every alternate day of the week, from seven in the evening to nine in the night they meet on the footpath near the popular joint, Not just jazz by the bay, that is opposite to the Ambassador hotel. Volunteers sit on the newspapers on the footpath and entertain any child who lends them their attention.
In March 2006, Shubhangi Swarup, a young Mumbaikar, approached an 11 year old boy selling flowers at a traffic signal and asked him if he wanted to draw with her. And in just a few months, her initiative had grown into a community project involving more than 60 children and 10 volunteers.
Nupur Shah one of the core member of Hamara footpath says, “We don't want a building to teach children. Our idea is to create interest for them in their environment only. We try to inculcate interest through colours, stories, games, music, balloons, plays etc.”
Hamara footpath also takes the street children out for educational and entertainment visits. Moreover they organise workshop for the street children where they are encouraged to convert raw and waste material into useful stuff like danglers, candle holders, fridge magnets, table mats etc. “Through these outings we want to develop a relationship with them. Initially they don't trust us but after our regular effort they have started sharing their problems and thoughts with us,” adds Nupur.
Priyanka Dalal another volunteer doesn't want to accept money from the passer by as donation for the children, instead she wants the well-wishers to interact with children and make them feel that they are equals.
Priyanka further adds “If a child is sick, we take the child to the nearby hospital instead providing him with money as we know that at times they might use the money for wrongful activities.”
“Children's development and rehabilitation are highly complex and a time consuming processes, thus collective brainstorming is crucial for understanding the realities of street life and the way out of it,” feels Shubhangi.
