Pubblichiamo la lettera ricevuta da padre Antony, referente della Casa Don Bosco di Delhi, nella zona delle fornaci
Work in the Brick fields has gone through a very sad period. Misunderstanding between Owners of Mud-giving fields and Contractors; Government insisting that only 2 feet of soil should be taken; while earth-movers wanting to lift off 4 feet or more.
Finally it seems that Government has agreed to move Brick-kilns further into the interior of Haryana, as this area is going to be added to the Capital state of Delhi; this finally has come beneficial to Bosco Home. God has heard our prayers.
Workers in many Brick-fields have changed for their own financial benefit; we lost a number of children who had taken a liking for school education; not all kilns have started working as yet;
The enthusiasm of the workers was dampened by two weeks of unusual rain and cold biting wind; thousands of bricks left in the open fields to be dried in the sun, were washed off; colossal loss of man-power and material; our school bus could not go into the slushy mud, in fact, we had to hire tractors to pull it out of low-lying muddy roads.
I made a suggestion to the management, and it was accepted to open a creche to care for babies and free the hands of mothers who can work in all sections of brick-production, churning, making, drying, counting, carrying, piling, controlling the fire; dismantling the fire-place, separating different grades of bricks, counting and stacking for sale.
Now I am on the look-out for at least two ladies who can care for the babies from 8 am to 5 pm. We will have to pay them a living wage, supply all things needed for them and the babies, beds, blankets, sheets, toiletries, and detergents.
ood and drinks for the babies and the care-takers. Babies will be looked after better, they will have good , safe, sheltered place to sleep; warm food, milk or biscuits, needful change of clothes, nappies, blankets etc.
Toddlers and bigger children can come to our a) play-way school, b) pre-primary-level school, c) Primary-level school, or higher classes according their capacity ; Since we do not have a license to start a school, we will get ready these Brick-field-children and get them admitted to Government schools, according their capacity and deserts.
May the Good Lord continue to bless and reward you, and all at home for the generosity to the marginalised children, Please do say a short prayer for this old man,
Gratefully, Fr. Anthony Thaiparambil sdb