Saradha is a brick kiln worker near Pollachi. Nearly five years ago when her husband fell sick, she had no option but to send her two daughters, Ramya and Vinitha, to work in the brick kilns as the family needed money for their daily needs.
Ramya stopped going to school and worked in the brick kiln for a year after her class VII. She was one of the child workers identified and rescued by the National Child Labour Project officials. She was enrolled in a special school run under the project in the district. After a year she joined the regular school and completed class XII this year. Scoring 887 in the Plus Two examinations this year, Ramya wants to join B.A. (History) and become a teacher.
“I worked in the brick kiln for a year. My sister and I were interested in continuing studies and the NCLP officials spoke to our parents. They also helped us join the regular school. My sister has written the Class X board examination this year. My mother is very happy that I am going to join college,” she says.
The State Government provides Rs. 6,000 stipend to rehabilitated child workers who have scored more than 800 marks in plus two, said an official of the NCLP. Four rehabilitated child workers, including Ramya, have completed Plus Two this year in the district and the NCLP will help them join college, the official said.
