Mahalakshmi, Puducherry

Mahalakshmi’s family struggled to live with dignity even before the pandemic. The 13-year-old’s parents would sell the traditional winnowing pans that her father made from bamboo leaves, an income that barely sustained them. Just before the lockdown, the family had borrowed some money to buy ceramic pots, in the hope of selling these at a profit. Unfortunately, the total shutdown brought only more misery for the family as they couldn’t sell anything. Worse, Mahalakshmi, who is in Grade 9, could not continue her education as the government school she went to, resumed classes online and the girl did not have a smart phone. The family had migrated to Puducherry and have not managed to get any identity cards, including a ration card that might have provided them with some aid from the government. 

Unable to attend classes and with the family in dire straits, Mahalakshmi and her 11-year-old brother started helping their mother as she tried to sell the ceramic pots. The father is an alcoholic and does little to support the family. With no cart, the three carry heavy loads on their heads, walking the streets, in the hope someone might buy the ceramic ware and winnowing pans. They are earning enough just to pay off the interest on their debt with little left even for food. When they sell to a family, sometimes, they also get food. Otherwise, they wait till they return home at night to have a meagre meal. 

A local NGO seeing their plight got in touch with Hope Unlimited. The Trust has now bought the girl a smart phone so she can be a student again and start online classes. Besides, Hope Unlimited will provide a monthly cash transfer for the coming months to help the family tide over their immediate crisis and in the hope that the girl is able to stay in school. 

(November 2020)