Crèche At The Construction Site

Firstly I urge you to think critically whether crèche is really required? Stop right here, really think for a few seconds before reading further. You might think that crèche being a closed space and so could be contrary to the whole idea of ‘freedom for children’. I can only guess what else you might be thinking, like separation of the kids from their parents at that tender age even though it is for a few hours daily.

Now I shall mention just a couple of things I saw on one normal day, not more. A kid was playing with an iron rod orange in hue – rust and dust, the coloring agents – of length minimum 4 times his/her own height. The kid seemed to be having great fun in that sultry heat surrounded by these hard long sharp and dangerous toys of his. There is no parent in sight, and now feel free to imagine all the possible ill happenings. Second visual is of a kid rolling in the opening field with cement, mud, pebbles, dirt and what not present there. A kid safely holding a safety pin in his/her mouth with no one really noticing it. Okay, but the important point is that these are exactly the images I saw, and no exaggeration. It’s also not that I came to see such things in one of my numerous other similar visits to that construction site. Seeing these things is pretty common and these are not rare is what I mean to say.

Kids while parents are working

I think above few lines might have put a little stress on our conscience, so now let us just plainly look from the parents’ angle. They stay in little dwellings with the so-called walls and roof formed of asbestos sheets. If you are an athlete you could easily do a long-jump and jump across the length of their dwellings. All they have are a few wood sticks, a wire to hang clothes, a cot in some cases, a few utensils, electric connection for a plug and a bulb (some cases). I know it’s hard to believe, but what else can I say other than ‘believe me’. Now it is understandable how important their daily earning is for them. A significant percentage of them have small kids too. These little ones have to be taken care of, that you, me, those parents and everyone knows. But unfortunately here we have only specific hours in a day and so taking care of these little ones invariably reduces our work time and affects our pay. Without over emphasizing, I can safely say that each extra rupee earned by them is a luxury (for them).

Now Aajeevika Bureau comes with this idea of opening crèches at the construction sites itself, and formulating into action opened one. Main motto is to both provide a safe environment for the kids and to take care of their nutritional needs. Nutritional need can easily be understood and now I believe you can relate to the safety aspect too, given the above images. What if something falls on the kid who was rolling on the ground or how difficult is it not to swallow that safety pin?

So the nutrition and creative space is being provided for the kids. You see them here do drawings, washing hands before having a meal, sleeping inside nets, learning rhymes and much younger ones sleeping in a cradle.

Trainer didi taking care of kids

So why am I saying all this and posting here for you to see? I want the space to look spectacular with various toys and also include plenty more activities. This is also more like an open invitation and to make you aware of this crèche. You can come and spend time with kids, tell them stories, or help in bettering the look of this space, donate toys, donate crayons and drawing books, donate games which stimulate brain, or you are most welcome to just visit for your own curiosity.

Creche

See you at S.T. (Gita Mandir), Ahmedabad 😉