There are around 1,00,000 waste pickers and informal waste collectors in Karnataka, India. The majority of them are based in major cities like Bengaluru. Smaller cities like Chamarajanagar and Tumkuru have 100-500 waste pickers. A significant number of waste pickers are women who belong to socially marginalised populations, including scheduled castes, tribes and other backward classes. Studies have found that many of the waste pickers are young (18 to 40 years), illiterate and economically and socially disadvantaged people engaged in waste picking in different cities. Hence, they remain doubly marginalised given their class and caste backgrounds.
Children of waste pickers dive into the world of books at the Buguri Community Library, seven days a week!
Video: Deccan Herald
Challenges
Children of waste pickers are one of the most marginalised populations of ‘at risk’ children. Many of them drop out of school very early and follow their parents into waste picking, making them prey not only to the vicious cycle of poverty, but also exposing them to life threatening health hazards. A few others last in schools till they are about fifteen and then drift away to do manual work. There are very few children whose parents are able persist and help them complete their schooling.
Our biggest challenge is creating stable and nurturing spaces for children to thrive. It is through stability that children begin to transform. When given safety, they are able to be creative and are eager to learn. This gives them a choice in terms of the occupation that they want to choose for themselves.
Our Approach
Hasiru Dala’s Buguri Children’s Programme works towards the betterment of the children through various programs that focus on making sure that children stay in school, complete their education and find nurturing spaces for them to grow. It also provides safe environments that help nurture the children’s social, emotional and cognitive growth. The Buguri Children’s Programme impacts over 1,000 children of waste pickers and informal waste workers across Karnataka through its libraries and education support programmes.