ICDE-INDIA - ICYE

them had become permanent settlers as a result of theconstruction boom and imaginary allied benefits tourban poor in slums.It is in one of these urban slums that we work in; wherea majority of the children are first generation formalsschool goers and most of the women at domesticworkers, vegetable vendors on streets, and the men aredaily wage earners or part time house painters /plumbers / electricians and the like. Many of the menalso work in hotels as cooks, cleaners and room serviceassistants. Domestic violence, desertion by families,poverty and joblessness are some of the main problemsthat most of the families face, besides the women beingcaught in the vortex of debts through the various microfinance groups. Most families earn between Rs.50/- toRs.250/- per day, which is mostly spent by the men ofthe house on liquour. So a majority of the women dothree to four jobs to maintain the family and rigidcustoms and traditions force the women to also continueliving with abusive husbands. There is no clean orregular drinking water nor is there much hygiene, twolocal government schools are almost dysfunctional andchildren education took a backseat, till five years ago.• VOLUNTEER’S REQUIREMENTS The volunteers are expected to understand and shareher/his views on the various issues, so that we get adifferent perspective. They are encouraged to work outa plan of action depending upon their interests andaptitudes that they would like to implement along withus. They are encouraged to research on subjects theyare keen in and is of assistance to our objectives so as toadd to policy discussions and advocacy. They can bepart of any of the areas we work in and assist in anyway they find most appropriate to their area of interestand commitment.• VOLUNTEER’S TASKS The volunteers will get hands on experiences ofinteracting with marginalized families, especiallywomen and children.Understand the situations that a majority of the migrantfamilies face as urban poor or families belonging to alower caste face in villages.Get an understanding of how corruption manifests inalmost all spheres of life and how the marginalized havebegun to accept this as an additional part of living ortrying to access government subsidies.Learn that children and women across societies areworst hit and how they are denied opportunities for theircomplete and full development. They will also learnhow women from most vulnerable situations take thecourage and sustain to beat the systems and cultures thatthwart them everyday.They can learnt hat children continue to smile and aremore resilient than others even in the face of violenceand poverty in their homes.Children understand that life is not hopeless andcontinue to be the torch bearers for inspiration andcourageVolunteers can be part of the various discussions anddeliberations of how macro policies and decisions affect