Mamta learns to smile, (Kolkata)
3 year old Mamta Paswan is quite excited about school nowadays, about all the new things she learns, but this was not always her approach. Ever since she joined GIDF’s Early Childhood Development Programme in April 2009, the shy little girl seemed lost in her own world of worries, never connecting with other kids, not interested in the activities, never even smiling. Initially when she used to come to the centre with her aunt, often wearing torn clothes and none of her parents ever enquire about her. Obviously, the root of the problem lies at her home, at Nonadanga Chinamandir Camp in Kolkata. A home visit reconfirmed our doubts. This was a family of evicted slum dwellers staying in a makeshift hut. The father is a rickshaw puller who stays out of home and abuses on alcohol. The mother is mentally ill and can’t speak. The grandmother is old, so taking care of a one year old brother is also Mamta’s responsibility. No one present at home to even provide them two square meals a day. No wonder she was so irregular. Her only hope of food was the ICDS programme in the same community and the weekly nutrition from GIDF. She had an urgent dental problem, but no money in the family to take care of it. No wonder she never smiled. The field staff took her case up as a challenge. The team decided on a focused strategy. Mamta was made to sit in groups and get involved through group activities. Use of alternative teaching materials helped. She started responding well with time – she now smiles and reacts like other kids of her age. Mamta’s grandmother has noticed the change, and appreciates GIDF for bringing her back from the verge of depression.