New Light
Khaligat is a notorious quarter in Calcutta. It is one of the poorest neighborhoods of the City. Mother Teresa's original Hospice for the Dying is in this quarter, as is one of the busiest red light districts in India. Urmi Basu, a trained social worker and dedicated women's advocate, has become concerned with the plight of the large population of sex workers in Khaligat. These women live in unimaginably crowded slum conditions and ply their trade with their children often watching. As a rule, their daughters follow in their footsteps once they reach age 14 or 15.
Using three available rooms in an old temple, and without any funding, Urmi started an evening creche/nursery school/youth program last year, designed to insulate some of the children from their mothers' work environment. Operating during prime "working hours", from 6 pm to 10 pm, the New Light Creche provides a safe haven to over 30 children, including some babies and toddlers. The older children receive school instruction from volunteer teachers.
Shadhika will fund furnishing the creche and provide operating expenses for a year.
Photo Gallery
2006, Children, Evening Meal 2006, Early New Light photos