Eldest among four siblings Sony Begum and her family lived with her aunt. Her father paid the house rent. Unfortunately he could not for a while and the landlord turned them out. They ran helter-skelter for help but no one came to their rescue. They had to move away and find accommodation somewhere else.

“I stood by as a mute spectator. Those sheer moments of helplessness still perturb me. I wish Children International-SAHAY had been there at that point of time in life,” Sony says.

Her father and brothers are daily wage earners while her mother is a homemaker. All of them chip in to run the family.

Currently pursuing her Bachelors in Arts, Sony states, “My parents have really worked hard to bring us up. My sisters are in school. Although we have been through a lot of hardships, my parents have always insisted on giving us an education. I give private tuitions to children to support my sisters’ education.”

Being a volunteer for Children International- SAHAY gives her an opportunity to work with children. She is associated with Community Centre Jorasakho, Kolkata.

“Volunteerism has helped me to learn about the different aspects associated with development of children like their nutrition, physical and mental health,” Sony says.

She loves children and finds their vivacity infectious. She remarks, “I remember how as a child I used to fight over candy floss with my siblings or run after a torn kite when it would make an appearance in the sky at the end of the alley.”

“It is also interesting how children view the world, very different from the way we adults perceive it. I generally help the children in letter writing. I recall during one such session a child while drawing had colored the sun purple. On asking why she had she done so, she replied that she was in the mood to do so. It’s amazing how they can feel,” adds Sony.

Even though she feels that early marriage is rampant in her community, working with Children International-SAHAY has empowered her with the knowledge on the legal statutes like ‘The Prevention of Child Marriage Act’.

She declares, “I also understand how early marriage and subsequently early motherhood can be life-threatening both for the mother and the child.”

Being a volunteer has given her the confidence to work with the local administration helping to create a good rapport with them. She has been a part of mass awareness campaigns against child marriage in her community.

She looks after Nadia, her cousin’s daughter. She declares, “My cousin brother was having a tough time trying to make both ends meet so I decided to look after Nadia. She follows exactly the way I dress! When we go out for walks, my community people refer to her little Sony! She is the apple of my eye. I am striving to give her a better life within my limited means.”

Nadia is enrolled in the sponsorship program and Sony wishes to see her as a self-reliant woman when she grows up.

She remarks, “My heart goes out to all the good people of this organization whose efforts have brought about a turn in the lives of our folks. I am keeping my fingers crossed for all the little ones who have dreams in their eyes and a longing in their hearts.”

*(Sony is a volunteer with Children International-SAHAY for the last few years. The Kolkata based NGO works with about 26,000 children and youth in several districts of West Bengal. SAHAY is affiliated to Children International, Kansas City, USA)

(Shane J Alliew is the Communications Coordinator – SAHAY| Children International)