Community Slum Volunteer

In big clean and green cities of India, due to rising population, the number of slum dwellers is rising in Indian cities. The slum population is constantly increasing; it has doubled in the past two decades. The current population living in slums in the country is more than the population of Britain. It is vicious cycle of population growth, opportunities in the cities (leading to migration to the cities), poverty with low incomes, tendency to be closer to work hence occupying any land in the vicinity etc. The key reason out of all is the slow economic progress.

Slums area always lack by some basic necessities of life, clean water, electricity, medical facilities and sanitation. The inhabitants are mostly rickshaw puller, seasonal small vendors, house maid servants with a family income ranging from a meager Rs.1500 to Rs.3000. After a hard and low-earning working day, most of the men spend their daily earnings on homemade illicit liquor. Status of woman’s in slum is not respectful; they work very hard outside home and at home, to make ends meet. Still they are constantly faced with verbal and physical abuse by their husbands. Children are either taking care of their younger siblings or helping their parents earn some money. Life in these slums is a challenge on an every day basis.

Volunteer’s role and tasks:

Lot of development is being carried out in these slums. Government along with other non government organizations is working hard to provide basic primary education and health services. But just like other government primary school, health centers, and child care centers, these centers are under funded and understaffed.

-     Volunteers will undertake informal education classes with children at slums, play games, introduce them with different activities like creative arts, drawing, painting and create environment which gives children the opportunity to learn.

-    Teach them English language, mathematics, general awareness, geography and computers. This basic education will help them broaden their horizons.

-     Volunteers can plan educational or fun trips with children to picnics in gardens, zoo, museums and so many other places of interest and learning.

-    Volunteers are invited to participate in health awareness drives which take place in slum areas. Volunteers take active part in disseminating information related to nutrition, fatal diseases, and health services available in the local health center. Volunteer educate people about proper hygiene, Iodine deficiency disorders and healthy living  practices.