Name: Pethuponnu Age: 14 years old Village: Kumilankulum Favorite’s: Movie star is Vijay and subject is Tamil and English Time as Child Laborer: 4 years (8-12 years old). Joining age at KGBV : 12

Pethu comes from a large family, having 4 elder sisters, one younger sister, and one younger brother. Pethus’ parents have worked as daily wage laborers for over 20 years, working 7 days a week for over 8 hours a day. Pethu worked as a daily farmer for over four years, working the same pattern as her parents, planting seeds, and rice, and moving to where the work was required. Pethus’ parents earn $2 per day, and it is just enough to support the family.

ODAM has lent them money in the form of a very low interest loan, so that they could build this house and improve their living conditions. The family are very happy with where they now live. Pethu’s father studied for one year as a child, her mother has never receivedany form of education. Pethu is very keen to carry on learning and staying at KGBV School so that she can get a job in the Indian Police Service.  

Name: K.Pandiselvi Age: 13 years old Village: Kottakatchiyenthal Favorite’s: Movie star is Samipa and subject is English. Child labor: 1 month (10 years old). Joining age at KGBV : 10 years old

Pandiselvi is an only girl child and her bothers and parents live and work at the brick chamber.Their working hours are 22 hours per day, 7 days a week. Pandiselvi was also working at the brick chamber with her parents at the age of 10 years old. Thankfully due to ODAM intervention, she was only working for one month.

Pandiselvis’ parents earn just under $4 a day. Her parents have now received a low interest loan from ODAM in order for them to live away from the brick chamber and rent a small room/house. Pandiselvis’ parents are very happy that she is at school as she no longer has to work at the brick chamber. Also they no longer have money problems, as they do not have to fund Pandiselvi, in terms of food, clothing.

Pandiselvi is the first person to attend school in her family, her parents would like her to have a good government job.

Name: Mahalakshmi Age: 15 years old Village: Kottakatchiyenthal Favorite’s: Movie star is Vijay and subject is Tamil Child labor: 2 years (13 to 15 years old) Joining age at KGBV : 15 years old

Mahalakshmi has one brother and her mother is the sole income provider for the family. Mahalakshmis’ mother is a cook and earns $1 per day. Mahalakshmi had no schooling for two years from 13 years old, and worked in a cotton mill during this time for two months. Mahalakshmi had to stop working at the mill, because it was so physically demanding and made her unwell.

Mahalakshmi, when not at the mill, was the sole carer of the house, cooking and cleaning. Mahalakshmis’ mother has received no education and cannot read or write,Mahalakshmi is the first generation to receive education. Mahalakshmis’ mother is very happy that she is able to carry on with her education and would like her to go to college.

Name: P.Muthukarupayee. Age: 14 Village: Chottaamuri Favourite’s: Movie star is Vijay and subject is math’s Time as Child Laborer: two years (8-10 years old) Joining age KGBV School : 10 years old

Muthukarupayee (Muthu) has three sisters, and two brothers. Muthu’s mother and father work as a daily wage farmers, working a minimum of 8 hours per day, 7 days per week. Muthu also worked as a daily wage farmer for over two years, mainly planting and tending to crops. Muthu worked from 8 to 10 years old, in order to help support the family.

Muthu’s parents earn less than $1 per day, finding it difficult to feed and support their family. Without KGBV Muthu would be working and would not be in school. Muthu is the first person in her family to go to school as both parents cannot read or write. Muthu parents have ambitions for her daughter to continue educationand get a good government based job.

Name: V. Uma Age: 14 Village: Esali Favourite’s: Movie star is Vijay and subject is Social Science Time as Child Laborer: 3 years (9-11 years old) Joining age KGBV School : 11 years old

Umas’ mother and father work as a daily wage laborer’s, working over 8 hours per day and 7 days per week. Umas’ parents share a house (2 rooms) with 4 other families, totaling 8 children. They share very basic amenities and suffer from severe overcrowding.Uma worked as a daily farmer for 3 years from the age of 9, in order to help support financially her family.

Umas’ mother and father are very happy for their daughter to be at KGBV School and want her to continue study and get a good government job. Uma would like a job that ODAM suggest to be a good career.