Name: Pethupillai Age: 14 years old Village: Minakulan Favorite’s: Movie star is Vijay and subject is English Child labor: 4 years (9-13 years old) Joining age at KGBV : 13

Pethu, has two sisters, (9 years old and 11 years old). Her 11 year old sister Sathya attends KGBV School . Both her parents work as daily farmers and earn $3 per day, working  8 hours a day 7 days per week. Pethu and her sister have both lived and worked away from their family for 4 years in a brick chamber, they were 9 years old. Pethu worked 9 hours a day, 7 days a week.

When Pethu and Sathya arrived at KGBV school they were very unwell and malnourished, due to lack of food and a major part of their life spent working. Pethu and Sathya are now doing well in a safe environment with regular meals. Both parents are now very happy that the two girls are studying at KGBV School . Neither parents have had an education, and would like their daughters to become teachers.

Name: Banupriya Age: 14 years old Village: Brick Chamber (Paramakudi) Favorite’s: Movie star is Vijay and subject is Tamil Child labor: 11-12 years old Joining age at KGBV : 12

Banu has one sister who is also at KGBV School , and one brother. Both her parents have worked at the brick chamber since they were 10 years old, they work 14 hours per day, 6 days per week. Banus’ parents were married at the brick chamber premises. Banu worked for one year due to family money problems, after school, for 4 hours a night.

Banu would shape the clay into the brick molds along with her 9 year old sister. Their combined income as a family was $3 per day. Banu would start work after a 6km round trip walk to school.

Banus’ parents are illiterate and therefore she is together with her brother and sister, the first person in her family to become educated. Both Banu and her sister are gifted students and achieve extremely high marks in all subjects and are considered to be in the top percentage of the school. Banus parents are very happy that she is doing so well. Banu would like to become a teacher, as would her sister.

Name: Pethuponnu Age: 15 years old Village: Brick Chamber (Paramakudi) Favorite’s: Movie star is Vijay and subject is Social Science Child labor: 3 years (10-13)

Joining age at KGBV : 13 years old Pethu has one sister who is also at KGBV School called Panju. Both parents work and live at the brick chamber for 12 hours a day, 5 days per week. They live in room (3 Metre by 3 Metre) which is owned by the brick chamber company. They have no running water, or a bathroom. Pethus’ parents earn on average $2 per day, sometimes less.

Pethu worked for three years loading bricks onto trucks, carrying 10 bricks on her head at a time. Pethu also worked 12 hours per day, 5 days per week.  Pethu started doing this job when she was only ten years old. Pethu found it physically difficult, and is now very happy to be at KGBV School together with her younger sister who has also had a similar experience. 

Pethus’ parents are very happy that she is now in school as neither of them have had any schooling and are illiterate. Pethu would like to be a Police Officer.

This is the terrace of single rooms where brick chamber families live. There are many families that live within this one terrace.

Name: R. Rajeswari Age: 15 years old Village: Kottakatchiyenthal Favorite’s: Movie star is Vijay and subject is English Time as Child Laborer: 1 year (13-14 years old) Joining age at KGBV : 14 years ol

Rajeswari parents are daily farmers. Rajeswari worked as a farmer for 1 year and also worked in the home to support her parents. Rajeswari has one elder sister (19 years) and one elder brother (17 years) both of whom did not receive any education. Rajeswari sister currently works in a cotton mill.

Rajeswaris’ parents earn just over $1 per day, and find it extremely hard to feed and clothe Rajeswari. Rajeswari also suffers from health problems and the family found it impossible to fund her health care needs. ODAM is helping Rajeswari with her health problems and she receives regular medical treatment.

Both Rajeswaris’ parents are unable to read and write; they are very happy that their daughter is able to receive education.They want Rajeswari to “open her eyes” through education and get a good government job.  ODAM have given Rajeswaris’ family a low interest loan so they can improve their living situation by building a small house.

Name: K.Meenachi Age: 15 years old Village: Kottakatchiyenthal Favorite’s: Movie star is Vijay and subject is Social Science Joining age at KGBV : 11 years old

Meenas’ parents have separated and her mother does not receive any financial support from Meenas father. Meenas’ mother is unable to work due to chronic asthma. Meenas’ 16 year old sister (Sonadevi) now works in a brick chamber to support her family. Sonadevi works 7 days a week, 12 hours a day, for $1 per day. Sonadevi has a round trip of 6 hours to get to and from work. A significant amount of her wage funds her mothers medicines. 

Meena has been very fortunate to receive financial support from relatives; which has enabled her to receive a continuous education. Unfortunately this support has now stopped,fortunately for Meena she was able to attend KGBV School as she was within the age criteria. Meenas’ mother is very relieved that one of her daughters receives three meals a day and can continue with her education.