Toy Corner at NIPUN, 23rd February 2013

The three of us marched through the narrow lanes of a JJ colony near a sprawling residential colony of Meera Bagh, New Delhi to reach a balwadi and a creche run by an NGO called ‘Nipun’. We were proudly carrying around 40 toys and a tri-cycle for the toddlers there.

Here are a few things we realised on getting there:

1. While most of us (especially) the fortunate well educated ones crib… there are some amazing individuals who are making a difference.

2. How creating a Crèche in a Slum allows women to earn livelihood, kids to go to school & not manage younger siblings and toddlers to be safe from abuse while parents are away.

3. All that kids need as a ‘toy’ is something sturdy, colourful, making enough noise and then they create their own story with it.

4. It takes about Rs6000 per annum per child to educate, get books, teachers etc for ensuring they remain in formal schooling and not drop out.

5. A hug by a kid makes you happy for hours at end if not weeks!

6. It's not difficult, it's actually quite simple to contribute and it's the best way to be happy J

Kapil Bahl

with Jayshree Acharia & Ashima S. Khemka   To view more photos clik here