Eight-year-old B. Koralayya, a native of Alamuru village in East Godavari district, dreams of becoming a Mandal Revenue Officer (MRO). A year ago, he was in no position even to entertain such a dream, as he was enslaved in a roadside eatery.
Thanks to CRY (Child Rights and You), the boy is now studying in a school and has got back his childhood.
When asked why he wanted to become a MRO, he said, “I hail from a fishing community and we are not given pattas by the government. After becoming MRO, the first thing I would do is to issue legal pattas to the fishermen,” he told The Hindu .
Koralayya, whose parents earn a livelihood as daily wagers, was discontinued from elementary school by his parents to contribute to the family income.
He was identified by Srama Samstha, an NGO engaged in eradicating child labour and a partner in CRY’s nation-wide programme of child labour-free villages, and brought back to school. And today, he is enjoying his childhood and study.
Similar are the experiences of Nanibabu and Surya of the same village.
While Nanibabu dropped out in the 5th class to graze cattle, Surya dropped out to work as labourer in a vegetable market. Today, both are back to school and they wish to become police officers.
Padma and Kumari of Yerukonda village in Vizianagaram district too have similar experiences in life.
Another CRY partner, Sneha Samstha, picked them up from the daily wage labour pool in the village, counselled their parents and community members to send them back to school.
“We want to become teachers. We are able to concentrate on our studies, as our bodies no longer ache from daily labour,” said Padma.
“Child labour takes away the dignity of a child. They are exploited because they cannot express. And we want to encourage every stakeholder to do his bit in bringing such children back to the school, as this is where they belong,” said CRY Regional Director (South) Suma Ravi.
